Presidential Research & Communications Unit

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has expressed appreciation to President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi for the restoration of peace to his country.

President Yar’Adua was speaking to President Nkurunziza at the opening of bilateral talks at the beginning of a two-day visit to Nigeria on Tuesday July 29.

“We in Nigeria appreciate the tremendous effort you have made to bring peace to your country in such a short time, as well as on-going efforts to build your nation”, he stated, assuring the visiting President that, “we shall stand by you in your efforts to restore your country.”

President Yar’Adua said Nigeria would take necessary steps to implement all agreements signed with Burundi in 2006 and directed that immediate steps be taken to establish a Bilateral Commission to further deepen relations between the two countries.

He directed the immediate release of the $1million pledged by Nigeria to help Burundi’s recovery at the 2006 Donor Conference held in Bujumbura.

Earlier, President Nkurunziza had thanked Nigeria and President Yar’Adua for the long-standing support to his country, especially in the pursuit of peace and restoration of normalcy.

The Burundian President said he looked forward to more cooperation and help from Nigeria, and assured President Yar’Adua of his country’s desire for warmer relations.