Barrow, Faye commit to strengthen ties on defence, trade, others

“The two leaders reaffirmed the firm commitment of their governments to continue to work together to advance the excellent bilateral relations that happily exist between the two sister Republics and in this regard agreed to intensify consultations between the authorities of the two governments to implement the Agreements signed on security, defence, forestry and wildlife management, trade, air travel, education, and the judiciary,” stated a Communiqué issued on Saturday fowling a day working visit to The Gambia by President Faye.

Dr. Mamadou Tangara, the minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad and Her Excellency Yassine Fall, the Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs read the joint communiqué on behalf of the two heads of state during the first official visit of the Senegalese President to The Gambia.

Accompanied by senior officials of his government, President Diomaye Faye undertook his maiden working visit to the The Gambia on Saturday. He was received at the Banjul International Airport by President Barrow with senior members of the government.

“This visit, one of the first His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye’s overseas since his inauguration, greatly denotes the profound and deeply cemented fraternal ties between The Gambia and Senegal,” according to the Communiqué.

“It further symbolises the strong and shared desire of the two Heads of State in the furtherance of the spirit of camaraderie and the affinity for mutually beneficial collaboration between the Governments and peoples of the two countries.”

“The two Heads of State held a consultative meeting to review the status of the historic bilateral relations between The Gambia and Senegal and in this regard, reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the established Presidential Council aimed at raising to a strategic level, the cooperation between the two countries.”

“His Excellency President Adama Barrow congratulated President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for his resounding election victory and his inauguration as the 5th Head of State of the Republic of Senegal and wished him great success in the implementation of the progressive programmes of his recently constituted government.”

“His Excellency President Adama Barrow also thanked His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for undertaking his second overseas visit as the President of Senegal to The Gambia and characterised it as a visible demonstration of the longstanding fraternal ties that exist between The Gambia and Senegal.”

“The two Heads of State expressed great satisfaction with the status of the bilateral relationship between The Gambia and Senegal and collectively buttressed the unique bonds between the two countries due to being inextricably linked by history, geography, culture, common development aspirations, etc and commended the diverse efforts being made to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in many sectors.”

“The two Heads of State also discussed issues and developments at regional, continental and global levels and agreed to continue consultations and cooperation on issues of shared interest.”

“The two Leaders recognised the two countries’ contributions to peace, security and development through the Economy Community of the West Africa (ECOWAS), the African Union Organisation (AUO, the United Nations Organisation (UN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).”

“His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye expressed his heartfelt appreciation to President Barrow and the Government and people of The Gambia for the warm and fraternal welcome as well as the tremendous hospitality accorded to him and his delegations.”

“He congratulated President Barrow in advance for the hosting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit.  His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye expressed appreciation and acceptance to attend the summit in Banjul.”

“The two Heads of State agreed to have regular consultations on issues of mutual interest and to have the next Session of the Senegalo-Gambian Presidential Council in Dakar, Republic of Senegal at dates to be decided later.”