PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
German ambassador presents papers to Gambian President
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) – The new German ambassador to the Gambia, Stephen Roken, has presented his letters of credence to President Adama Barrow at State House in Banjul, PANA reported Wednesday.
In presenting his papers, Ambassador Roken said he would work for a re-start in German-Gambia relations after a 22-year break. He expressed delight that President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of German would be visiting The Gambia, saying it was a political signal that the country was firmly on the road to a democratic transition after a period of autocratic rule.
He said that Germany was ready to support The Gambia during this period to build the capacity of Gambians to handle and manage the change its people have fought for.
Ambassador Roken added that a lot of preparatory work has been done to re-establish bi-lateral relations on the full range, saying Germany is committed to starting again on the political, economic, cultural and sports sectors to match the economic needs of the country.
He expressed the hope that the visit of the German President would give impetus to these efforts.
The German diplomat says his country is poised to offer support to The Gambia at the multi-lateral levels, including the United Nations, European Union, and African Development Bank.
President Barrow, receiving the papers, thanked Germany for the support it provided during Gambia’s political impasse and also through the European Union.
He urged Germany to continue to be a voice for The Gambia and support the resource mobilization for the country scheduled at a donor’s conference in 2018, to work towards the realization of the Gambia’s National Development Plan.
President Barrow notes the difficult economic situation The Gambia needs to address. He called for the strengthening of bilateral relations in the area of technology, access to clean water and boosting Gambia’s tourist industry with German tourists.
Speaking on migration, Barrow said there was the need to put migration on a wider context that would require cooperation to promote investment in The Gambia to create jobs in the management of migration.
-0- PANA MLJ/VAO 13Dec2018
In presenting his papers, Ambassador Roken said he would work for a re-start in German-Gambia relations after a 22-year break. He expressed delight that President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of German would be visiting The Gambia, saying it was a political signal that the country was firmly on the road to a democratic transition after a period of autocratic rule.
He said that Germany was ready to support The Gambia during this period to build the capacity of Gambians to handle and manage the change its people have fought for.
Ambassador Roken added that a lot of preparatory work has been done to re-establish bi-lateral relations on the full range, saying Germany is committed to starting again on the political, economic, cultural and sports sectors to match the economic needs of the country.
He expressed the hope that the visit of the German President would give impetus to these efforts.
The German diplomat says his country is poised to offer support to The Gambia at the multi-lateral levels, including the United Nations, European Union, and African Development Bank.
President Barrow, receiving the papers, thanked Germany for the support it provided during Gambia’s political impasse and also through the European Union.
He urged Germany to continue to be a voice for The Gambia and support the resource mobilization for the country scheduled at a donor’s conference in 2018, to work towards the realization of the Gambia’s National Development Plan.
President Barrow notes the difficult economic situation The Gambia needs to address. He called for the strengthening of bilateral relations in the area of technology, access to clean water and boosting Gambia’s tourist industry with German tourists.
Speaking on migration, Barrow said there was the need to put migration on a wider context that would require cooperation to promote investment in The Gambia to create jobs in the management of migration.
-0- PANA MLJ/VAO 13Dec2018
