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Momodou
Denmark
11827 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Mar 2008 : 18:01:19
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Gambia/Guinea-Bissau Sign Joint Communiqué
By Gibairu Janneh
The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau on Thursday signed a joint communiqué aimed at fostering relationships between the two countries at the end of a joint inter ministerial commission at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in Banjul. The communiqué, which focused, among other things, on trade, tourism, social security and housing, transportation, justice and other issues, is designed to bind up efforts of the two countries to speedy realisation of the objectives of the various development sectors.
On trade the communiqué states, among other things, that there will be a tripartite meeting between the Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Senegal which will aim at facilitating the free and easy flow of goods among the three countries. On tourism, the joint communiqué states that there will be co-operation in agreement that The Gambia will help Guinea- Bissau to facilitate and build its tourism industry. On social security and housing it states that the Gambia will facilitate and help Guinea Bissau develop and implement a housing scheme and on justice it states, among other things, that there will be a treaty on extradition which would enable the two countries consult each other on judicial matters.
Addressing delegates after the signing of the communiqué the Prime Minister of Guinea- Bissau, Mr. Martinho N’ Dafa Cabi, congratulated the government and people of The Gambia for their hospitality and successful hosting of this 3rd joint inter ministerial commission. He said Guinea Bissau needs its neighbours in order to achieve its goals and this is why they come to The Gambia to put aside the past and look forward to the future, noting that the contribution of The Gambia in bringing peace to Guinea Bissau is no news to anybody. He noted that the signing of the documents is very important but it will be more meaningful if it goes into its practical phase. “If we implement what we have signed we will make history and our people will be grateful,” prime minister N’Dafa Cabi remarked. He concluded his remarks by stating that strengthening love and solidarity among African states was the vision of Amilcar Cabral and if achieved will promote peace, tranquillity and development in Africa.
In her closing statement, the Vice President, Madam Isatou Njie Saidy, welcomed the conclusions of their deliberations with great satisfactions. She said after in-depth reflections the two sides have identified problem areas and they now know the way forward with regards to how they should jointly implement the many programmes for which they have entered into partnership. She however said that the job is not done yet. She said as the ink dries on the documents that they have signed, they should not be left to gather dust in an obscure corner but rather they must endeavour to meet not only at regular intervals but also the policy makers as well as our representatives must not shy away from knocking on each another’s doors and call up ad-hoc meetings on any subject matter that they hold dear. She noted that Guinea Bissau and The Gambia are just a phone call away.
Source:Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 26/2008, 3 - 4 March, 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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