The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Angela Merkel

  • Merkel congratulates Buhari on re-election

    The German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called President Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him on the resounding victory in the February 23 presidential election in Nigeria.

    Chancellor Merkel pledged to continue co-operation with Nigeria on peace and security, while promoting investment and trade for sustainable economic development.

    Read Also: Second term: I’ll do my best for Nigerians, says Buhari

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, thanked the German Chancellor for her spirited efforts in combating irregular migration on the continent.

    He also lauded the policy of assisting immigrants in need.

     

  • World Economic Forum starts amid economic, political worries

    At least, 3,000 and managers kicked-off their annual meeting in the Swiss resort of Davos on Tuesday, to discuss solutions to global challenges, in spite of the absence of some of the world key leaders.

    Brazil’s new far-right President Jair Bolsonaro will hold the first keynote speech of the four-day World Economic Forum annual meeting in the snowy mountains in the afternoon.

    It is Bolsonaro’s first international appearance since he was sworn in as president at the start of January.

    Although the controversial populist leader has announced a plan to privatise infrastructure, it is still unclear whether he will really opt for ultra-liberal economic policies.

    The Brazilian president took the forum’s keynote slot from U.S. President Donald Trump, who cancelled his attendance to address a week-long partial government shutdown.

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    British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron are also forgoing Davos this year, opting instead to address political crises at home.

    Their absence is likely to place the focus on attendees such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe or UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

    Surveys and forecast published ahead of the Davos meeting showed that slowing global economic growth, populism, political tensions and trade wars are among the major worries of the world leaders.

    The concern also include and Britain’s unclear path out of the EU.

    This year official theme for the meeting is “Globalization 4.0″, a vision of an interconnected world that tackles the economic inequality that goes along with globalised trade and production.

  • Merkel’s Bavarian allies lose power

    An exit poll from Bavaria’s state election yesterday shows the ruling Christian Social Union has lost its majority, in a humiliating performance that is likely to rattle German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fragile coalition government.

    The Christian Social Union (CSU), a conservative sister party to Merkel’s Christian Democrat Union (CDU), has dominated Bavarian politics since the end of World War II, ruling the key state for all but three years of the past seven decades.

    An exit poll reported by state broadcaster ARD show the CSU with just 35.5% of the vote and the pro-immigration environmentalist Greens in second place with 18.5%, a major gain of almost 10 percentage points.

    The far-right anti-immigration Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) is forecast to win 11% of the vote, the poll shows. If confirmed, the party will win seats in the Bavarian parliament.

    Exit polls are not final results, but are fairly reliable in Germany and give a general picture of the final count.

  • German parties agree on immigration law to tackle labour shortages

    Germany’s coalition parties on Tuesday agreed on a new immigration law to attract more skilled workers from countries outside the EU.

    The new immigration law under a politically risky push was agreed on in order to fill a record number of job vacancies and stabilise the public pension system.

    Chancellor Angela Merkel, hard line Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and Social Democrat Labour Minister Hubertus Heil reached a compromise deal that removes labour market hurdles for all non-EU citizens with job qualifications and German language skills.

    The three coalition parties agreed in the outline of their law, seen by Reuters that companies will be allowed to recruit foreign workers in all professions, regardless of an official list of sectors suffering labour shortages.

    The paper also proposes that the government will no longer insist that companies give preference to German citizens in filling vacancies before looking for non-EU foreigners.

    Foreign graduates and workers with vocational training will also get an opportunity to come to Germany for six months to look for a position if they meet certain job qualifications and German language requirements.

    They also have to prove that they have enough financial resources so they will not depend on welfare benefits during their stay in Germany, the parties agreed.

    Read Also: German taxpayers will not finance diesel retrofits – minister

    The compromise deal does not include the so-called ‘Spurwechsel’ (lane change) proposal which would allow refugees living in Germany to shed their asylum seeker status if they find a job and learn German.

    Seehofer, whose CSU party fears losing voters to the far-right in a regional election later this month, was against such a provision because he feared it would encourage future immigration by asylum seekers without the right skills.

    “We maintain the principle of separation of asylum and labour migration,” the outline of the immigration law reads.

    However, the parties said that they would define a residence status for well-integrated refugees who could not be deported and were able to earn their living on their own in order to give employers and migrants more security when planning.

    Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said that the Germany new immigration law will make the upturn in Europe’s largest economy more sustainable and increase its growth potential.

    “With today’s agreement, we have made it possible for the economic upswing to continue without an abrupt end, to increase and exploit our growth potential, and to strengthen our competitiveness as well as growth and prosperity.

    “With this, we can stimulate additional economic growth by several tenths of a per cent. This is quite a lot,” he said during a news conference in Berlin.

  • German taxpayers will not finance diesel retrofits – minister

    German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said on Wednesday that his plan to battle air pollution in cities by retrofitting older diesel vehicles would not require taxpayer funds or money from the car owners.

    The government is due to hold another summit on Friday to try to agree on a way to tackle pollution from diesel vehicles without resorting to bans.

    Scheuer has said his priority was ensuring owners can swap old cars for cleaner ones.

    “My concept is currently based on needing no taxpayer money and that the car owners won’t have to pay for it.

    “‘It means that German car manufacturers would have to build a framework that helps to rebuild trust,” Scheuer told the Media

    The subject has proven controversial as pollution levels have exceeded European Union limits in a number of German cities.

    However, the government is worried about the cost of replacing or upgrading vehicles and the impact on the country’s powerful car industry, its biggest source of export income.

    Scheuer said thst the government plan would not extend to older diesel vehicles made by foreign manufacturers, which do not fall under German jurisdiction.

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    Carmakers and German government representatives failed to reach a compromise on Sunday over potential hardware retrofits for older diesel vehicles.

    Friday’s meeting will take place ahead of a deadline at the end of September set by Chancellor Angela Merkel to stave off bans on older vehicles.

    Government sources said on Tuesday the high-level summit would be held in the German chancellery, and both Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and Economy Minister Peter Altmaier would take part.

    The government currently envisages offering owners of affected diesels in 10 heavily polluted cities options including buy-backs, exchanges and hardware refits, according to the media.

    Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said he would not make taxpayers money available.

    . “I do not think that’s an issue for public money,” Scholz, who is also vice-chancellor, said.

    He also said that incentives to buy a new diesel car would not be enough to tackle the problem.

    “When it comes to driving bans in Germany, we talk about the life situation of millions of citizens… Most of us can’t afford a new car, but buy a used vehicle,” Scholz said.

    “Therefore we want that there are possibilities of retrofitting,” he added.

  • Merkel visits Algeria to discuss migration, terror

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel traveled to Algeria on Monday to discuss migration issues and how to combat terror.

    Another aim of the talks with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Algiers is to boost Algeria’s role as a stabilising factor in North Africa, Merkel’s office indicated.

    The chancellor is also meeting Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia during the one-day trip.

    Merkel was also expected to address the long-standing conflict between Algeria and its western neighbour Morocco.

    A planned visit in February 2017 was cancelled at the last minute as a result of Bouteflika’s health.

    The president is 81 years old and has been in office since 1999.

    Algeria is a major transit route for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea.

    Read Also: Five die in stampede after Angolan soccer match

    The German government is under domestic pressure to cut migration.

    One of the aims of Merkel’s trip is to facilitate the deportation of Algerian nationals whose applications for political asylum have been denied by Germany.

    Germany’s grand coalition plans to characterise Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco as “safe countries of origin,’’ thus, easing the repatriation process for the German authorities.

    While in Algeria, Merkel is to visit a girls’ high school initiated in 2008 by the German Foreign Office as part of its “Partners for the Future” programme.

    She will also hold discussions with representatives of civil society.

  • Trump’s comment won’t keep other world leaders away from Buhari – Presidency

    The Presidency on Saturday said that the recent comment credited to the United States President, Donald Trump won’t keep other world leaders away from President Muhammadu Buhari.

    While the British Prime Minister, Theresa May visited Buhari in Abuja on Wednesday, the German Chancellor, Ms Angela Merkel did the same on Friday.

    Speaking with journalists on arrival in Beijing, China, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that there is a special attraction to Buhari and Nigeria.

    He said “You know that as a policy, we said that we are not going to answer the American President, however, the fact that the entire world and world leaders are cueing up to meet President Muhammadu Buhari, is an indication that there is something about President Buhari, there is something about the Nigeria he now leads, that the world likes.

    “I think that Nigerians themselves should better look at this from this positive point of view, is a major development.

    Read Also: 2019: Saraki declares for Presidency

    “We had situations in the country in the past where key world leaders didn’t want to meet our own leaders, all of that has changed in the last three years.” he stated

    On the expectation of Nigeria from President Buhari’s visit to China, he said “You know that from the last summit in South Africa, the Chinese financing of projects in Nigeria has more than doubled under President Muhammadu Buhari and so therefore, we expect that if the same momentum is maintained, we hope that going forward, all of the projects that are outstanding like the Kaduna-Kano rail project, the coastal rail scheme, Mambilla power project, the second phase of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport expansion project, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja/ Kano.

    “All of these projects, they will move more steadily and thankfully, we have virtually everyone who matters on our own side.

    “So, we hope that what ever is left, the dotted lines will be signed, and we are hoping that we will take back with us, quite a number of schemes that will take Nigeria forward.” he said

  • President to visiting German Chancellor: we respect agreements, rule of law

    President Muhammadu Buhari said in Abuja yesterday that his administration will always uphold the sanctity of the rule of law in governing the country.

    He also assured the visiting German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, that all agreements will be fully respected.

    President Buhari received the German Chancellor, who was accompanied by top government officials and a business delegation, at the Presidential Villa.

    In his remarks during a bilateral meeting, the President said unity and harmony in every society can only be preserved by observing the rule of law and ensuring that agreements reached in good faith are followed through to the mutual benefits of countries.

    Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also told Chancellor Merkel and members of her delegation that the rule of law embodies all the rightful mechanisms for conflict resolution, both within the country and in dealing with all foreign partners.

    He assured that his administration remains focused on delivering a peaceful, economically viable and politically stable polity to all Nigerians.

    The President said Nigeria remained grateful to the German government for its fair treatment of migrants.

    He said Nigeria looks forward to improving its trade figures with Germany, which he said had taken strong interest in investing in the country and supporting the government in providing effective services in security, education and creation of jobs.

    The President said his administration instituted reforms in the economy to make it more internationally attractive and business friendly for investors, noting that infrastructure development had been a priority, especially in power supply, road and rail constructions.

    The economy, he said, was already responding to the diversification reforms and the stimulus of the government as growth is now largely driven by the non-oil sector.

    The President said Nigeria was politically stable, urging German investors to take advantage of the friendly climate.

    “I enjoin you to invest in Nigeria because this is the best time to do so,” he added.

    President Buhari noted that the successful political transitions since 1999 were clear indications of the country’s stability and preparedness to welcome more investments that will bolster the economy.

    In her remarks at the meeting, Chancellor Merkel said Germany was prepared to further strengthen bilateral and business relations with Nigeria, which, according to her, controls 60 per cent of ECOWAS economy.

    She said the population growth and opportunities in the economy can always be explored to improve employment situation in the country.

    Chancellor Merkel said the three Memoranda of Understanding signed during the visit represent a starting point for a healthier and deeper partnership with Nigeria in areas of security, trade, immigration and education.

    The Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Volkswagen of South Africa for the manufacturing of Volkswagen vehicles in Nigeria while Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Petkus Technologies GMBH for the supply of seed and grain processing machines.

    The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with German African Business Association on fostering trade and investment.

     

  • Effects of Greek bailout will extend beyond August – Merkel

     German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday the effects of Greece’s bailout package would not end on the day that the programme itself ends.

    Eurogroup Chairman Mario Centeno had said that euro zone countries were set to disburse a final 15 billion euro (17.48 billion dollars) bailout loan to Greece in August.

    “It will be an important day in August when this programme ends but the ongoing effects of this programme won’t end on that day,” Merkel told a news conference.

    The Greek parliament had on June 14 passed its final package of reforms that were agreed upon within a bailout that expires in August.

    The reforms were also a condition laid out by the Eurogroup in order for it to consider possible measures to reduce the debt burden on Greece on June 21.

    Greece is expected to return to capital markets for financing after its third bailout since it went into a financial meltdown expires.

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    “The present package is worth up to 86 billion Euros (100 billion dollars), in return, Athens had to carry out austerity reforms.

    “The latest package includes another cut into pensions of up to 18 per cent from 2019, as well as tougher rules for tax exemptions starting in 2020, which are due to save a combined 5 billion Euros annually,’’ it noted.

    A crucial law introduced state guarantees to creditors, who will be able to sell state property through the European Stability Mechanism for compensation if Athens fails to pay debts on time.

    Several thousand people demonstrated against the measures in front of the parliament during the debate, while taxi drivers and public transport drivers went on strike.

    Greece has implemented hundreds of reforms since 2010 for the bailouts.

    Pensions have already been reduced over a dozen times and an average income was slashed by around one-quarter.

    Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras now hopes for a relatively large primary surplus in the coming years, which does not include the funds to repay debts.

    Report says the creditors want a surplus of 3.5 per cent, while Greece plans 3.56 per cent in 2018, 3.96 in 2019 and 4.15 per cent in 2020.

    Tsipras, with the additional surplus, wanted to support socially disadvantaged sections of the population and to stimulate the economy with state investments.

    NAN

  • Merkel admits her govt lost public trust over migration feud

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel conceded during her annual summer press conference on Friday that the recent government crisis over migration policy cost her coalition public trust that will have to be won back.

    “Yes, I believe that is the case,” Merkel said in response to a question as to whether the spat between her conservative CDU and its hardline CSU sister party over whether to turn back migrants at the border had reduced her standing in the eyes of the public.

    Merkel said she believed the debate over migration policy was an important one to have, but that the tone of the discussion “was often very harsh, and I attach a very, very great importance to the language.”

    German Interior Minister and CSU leader Horst Seehofer’s push to start turning away migrants put him on a collision course with the chancellor, who insisted on avoiding unilateral decisions in favour of solutions in accordance with other EU member states.

    Read Also: Sustain campaign against irregular migration, expert urges FG

    Merkel made an 11th-hour deal with Seehofer to hold asylum seekers arriving at the country’s southern border with Austria in transit centres while their status is checked.

    The deal pulled the coalition back from the brink of collapse after threats by Seehofer to resign and speculation about the end of the long-standing CDU-CSU conservative alliance.

    The third partner in Merkel’s coalition, the Social Democrats , voiced humanitarian concerns over the creation of closed centres for migrants, further fuelling speculation about the government’s collapse.

    A number of opinion polls conducted in the aftermath of the dispute showed a dip in public support for the government.

    A survey released by public broadcaster ARD indicated that 78 per cent of Germans were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied with the government’s work – a rise of 15 percentage points as compared to the previous month.

    Merkel said Friday that though she would have preferred the matter be to handled differently, the government had ultimately found a solution and that she believed that the government had “proven itself to be capable of acting.”

    Tensions on the question of migration could flare again if Merkel fails to strike bilateral deals with other EU countries that she hopes will see German authorities returning asylum seekers to the members states they first registered in.

    NAN