The
French charge d’affaires, Joel Godeau, said his country will support the
extension of the mandate of the ECOMIG mission in The Gambia. A news release
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians
Abroad has said.
Godeau,
had discussions with Dr. Mamadou Tangara on Thursday 2 January, 2020, at
Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Minister
Tangara welcomed charge d’affaires Godeau and wished him success in his endeavours
in the New Year. During discussions, Tangara raised the need for issuance of
long term visas to Gambians traveling on official and business trips to France.
Dr. Tangara appealed for the two sides to work on the establishment of French
visa processing centre in the country in order to prevent Gambians traveling to
Senegal for visa processing which is time consuming and costly.
Upon
the request for an update on the repatriation of Gambians abroad, the
Honourable Minister used the occasion to inform Godeau that modalities are to
be worked out with partners regarding the repatriation of Gambians abroad given
that the moratorium placed by the Government of The Gambia is to expire in
January 2020.
The two diplomats also discussed the
forthcoming Africa–France summit due to be held in France from 4th to 6th June
2020 in Bordeaux. The French charge d’affaires also informed the Minister of
the arrival of the new French Ambassador in Dakar. He sought the Minister’s
intervention to facilitate the early presentation of Letters of Credence to
H.E. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia. In his response,
Minister Tangara said he would liaise with the Office of the President to see
how he can facilitate the presentation of the Letters of Credence before end of
January 2020.
It
may be recalled that the French Government designated The Gambia as a priority
country for French Official Development Assistance (ODA) after the advent of
the new democratic dispensation in January 2017 that ushered in H.E. Adama
Barrow as President of the Republic of The Gambia. During the International
Donor Conference on Gambia in Brussels, France announced a 50 million euro
financing package that will run until 2022.
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