AU commission secretary, 4 diplomats call on Gambian foreign minister
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - African Union Commission Secretary, ambassadors of Guinea, The Netherlands, India and Venezuela Monday called on Gambian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians abroad Dr. Mamadou Tangara at his office here.
AU Commission Secretary Lindiwe Khumalo commended the government of The Gambia for the support given during the African Union Commission election.
She assured Dr. Tangara of the Commission’s readiness to work with The Gambian government on the establishment of permanent premises for the Commission.
Ms Khumalo and Dr. Tangara also discussed other issues relating to the work of the Commission.
Dr. Tangara highlighted the relationship between the government of The Gambia and the African Union Commission.
He vowed that the government of The Gambia would continue to collaborate with, and give the required support to the Commission.
Dr. Tangara further stated the need for the government of The Gambia and the African Union Commission to work together towards building premises that would serve as a permanent complex for the African Union Commission Secretariat in The Gambia.
He also expressed his profound confidence in the newly elected African Union Commission members, assuring that they would contribute immensely towards the development of the Union which would benefit the entire continent.
Next to call on Dr. Tangara’s was Mrs. Aminata Kobele Keita, Ambassador of Guinea, Conakry, who was at the ministry to present copies of her Letters of Credence.
Receiving Ambassador Keita, Dr. Tangara commended President Alpha Conde for the peaceful role he played during the 2016 political impasse in The Gambia which led to the end of ex- President Yahya Jammeh's regime.
Ambassador Keita commended the government of The Gambia for the warm welcome accorded her and her delegation.
Mrs. Keita suggested the need to establish a joint commission between The Gambia and Guinea to sustain the harmonious cooperation and preserve the longstanding historical relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Joan JJ Weigman, Ambassador of The Netherlands also presented copies of her Letters of Credence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Dr. Tanagara recalled that The Netherlands had been very instrumental in supporting private sector development in Africa to create job opportunities for the youth.
He reminded Ambassador Weigman of the need for a tripartite meeting between The Gambia, Canada, and The Netherlands on the Rohingya case that brought Myanmar to the International Criminal Justice.
Ambassador Weigman thanked the minister for receiving her and assured him of the readiness of The Netherlands government to continue working in The Gambia.
She said The Netherlands would continue to attend to the needs of the private sector.
On the Rohingya case, she said The Netherlands, as a member of the Genocide Convention, was interested in the Myanmar case at the International Court of Justice, adding that The Netherlands firmly believed that impunity could not go unpunished.
Other issues of bilateral interest between the two countries were discussed.
Godavarthi Venkata Srinivas, Ambassador of India, also presented copies of his Letters of Credence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Tangara.
Following exchanges of diplomatic pleasantries, the two sides renewed their commitment to continue working on issues of mutual interest to both countries.
To this end, they agreed to look for trade boosting opportunities and also provide scholarships and implement traditional medicine Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries.
The Ambassador of Venezuela, His Excellency Alejandro Israel Correa Ortega, presented copies of his Letters of Credence to Dr. Tangara.
Dr. Tangara welcomed him on behalf of President Adama Barrow and thanked the government of Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro for the support Venezuela had rendered to the youth of the continent of Africa.
He pointed out that this was valued by the continent of Africa whilst assuring him of Gambia’s support to Venezuela at all times.
Ambassador Ortega expressed delight at the reception accorded him. He said Venezuela was ready to renew and revamp the already excellent bilateral relations between The Gambia and Venezuela.
Discussions between the two sides centered on health, fisheries, agriculture, training for the Police force and training for diplomats.
-0- PANA MSS/RA 8Feb2021
