African Union Commission Secretary, ambassadors of Guinea, Netherlands, India and Venezuela visited on Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mamadou Tangara on Monday at his office in Banjul.
AU Commission Secretary, Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, commended the government of The Gambia for the support given during the African Union Commission election.
She assured Minister Tanagara’s of the Commission’s readiness to work with The Gambia government on the establishment of permanent premises for the Commission. Other issues relating to the work of the Commission were discussed.
Minister 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 and give the required support to the Commission.
Minister Tangara disclosed the need for 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 thus assuring that they would contribute immensely towards the development of the Union which will benefit the entire continent.
Next to call on Minister Tanagara’s was Mrs. Aminata Kobele Keita, Ambassador of Guinea,Conakry who was at the Ministry to present copies of her Letters of Credence to the Minister.
In receiving Ambassador Kobele Keita, Minister 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 the ex- President Yahya Jammeh regime.
For her part, Ambassador Kobele Keita commended the government of The Gambia for the warm welcome her delegation has received.
Mrs. Kobele Keita suggested the need to establish a joint commission between The Gambia and Guinea Conakry which will sustain the harmonious cooperation and preserve the long standing historical relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Joan JJ Weigman, Ambassador of Netherlands also presented copies of her Letters of Credence to the Minister of Foreign Affair.
Minister Tanagara, recalled that the Netherlands has been very instrumental in supporting private sector development in Africa which creates job opportunities for the youth.
He reminded Ambassador Weigman of the need for a tripartite meeting to be organised 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 Netherlands will continue to render the needs of the private sector whilst adding the need for NGO work to be professionalised.
On the Rohingya case, she said the Netherlands as a member of the Genocide Convention is interested in the Myanmar case at the International Court of Justice adding that the Netherlands firmly believes that impunity cannot 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 Affair, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara.
Following exchange of diplomatic pleasantries, the two sides renewed their commitment to continue working on issues of mutual interest to both countries. In this drive, 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 Minister Dr.Mamadou Tangara.
Minister Tangara welcomed him on behalf of President Adama Barrow and thanked the government of Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro, for the support Venezuela has rendered to the youth of the continent of Africa.
Minister pointed out that this is 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 to him. He said Venezuela is ready to renew and revamp the already excellent bilateral relations between The Gambia and Venezuela.
Discussions between the two sides, centered on the following areas of cooperation namely; health, fisheries, agriculture, training for the Police force and training for diplomats.