President
Adama Barrow, accompanied by a high-powered delegation, this morning left for
Paris, France, on a state visit upon the invitation of his French counterpart,
President Franchois Hollande, the Office of the President has announced.
During
the two-day visit, the Gambian leader is expected to discuss with his French
counterpart areas of cooperation such as in the field of telecommunications,
trade, energy and education.
With
the new Gambia, the government can seek support and financial assistance to
promote human rights and good governance in The Gambia.
From
Paris, President Barrow will be going to Belgium, on 16 March, for a daylong
visit, where he will discuss with members of the European Union financial
support to boost The Gambia’s economy since he inherited “empty government
coffers”.
President
Barrow would also discuss the reactivation of all the projects of the EU in The
Gambia. During Jammeh’s 22-year rule,
the relations between The Gambia and the EU was fragile.
New
State House
Meanwhile,
before travelling to France, yesterday he moved from Kairaba Hotel to the vice
president’s residence in Fajara which he would be using as an office.
His
Excellency the President and delegation departed Banjul International
Airport at 3:00a.m in the early hours of today Tuesday, 14 March 2017, and those
invited to see him off were requested to be at the airport half an hour before
departure for the usual ceremonies.
