Several Foreign Countries Seek To Enhance Ties With Kenya

Xinhua
Saturday, December 07, 2013

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Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday received credentials from eights envoys from countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Middle East who vowed to enhance closer ties between their respective countries and Kenya, and also in the fight against terrorism.

The envoys from Nepal, Germany, Hungary, Italy, France, Iraq, Japan and Zambia vowed to offer support in the fight against global terrorism and support initiatives aimed at stabilizing Somalia.

Speaking after presenting his papers, France Ambassador Remi Marechaux said his country and Kenya face a common enemy which encourages enhanced partnership on the fight against terrorism in all its form and manifestation.

“Terrorists that we are fighting in Mali, AQIM are allies of Somali’s Al-Shabaab and we cannot effectively combat Al-Qaida on one ground without fighting all others,” the envoy said according to a statement issued after the ceremony.

Kenya has contributed troops comprising of air force, navy and army troops and have concentrated to the pacification efforts in central and lower Juba part of Somalia also known as sector two. Other troop-contributing nations include Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti and Sierra Leone comprising the over 17,000 strong force.

The French envoy said his country is ready and willing to offer its expertise and technologies to strengthen security in Kenya and the continent.

“Ten percent of the French population is of African origin and everything that happens in Africa affects France,” he added.

Marechaux also said his country will be investing in major regional infrastructures promoted by Kenya particularly the LAPSET project. He said his country wants to diversify its relations and partners in Africa and in the rest of the world with Kenya as one of the priorities.

Italy’s Mauro Massoni said his country and the international community valued the pivotal role Kenyan leadership played in countering terrorism threat to stabilize Somalia and the horn of Africa.

Zambia’s High Commissioner Josephine Chilufya Mumbi Phiri also commended Kenya government’s tireless efforts in restoration of peace and security in war torn countries in Africa particularly the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa.

She said establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission attests to the desire by the two sister countries to cooperate and share ideas on various issues affecting them and the region.

“It is my desire to build on the already existing warm relations and further explore other areas of mutual cooperation that would contribute to development in the two countries,” Phiri said.

The new Ambassador of Hungary Sandor Koscic expressed his desire to explore new avenues of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

In his remarks, Kenyatta said his government appreciated the bonds of bilateral relationships with the various countries and would work closely with the envoys to foster the friendship.

He also welcomed the envoys to work with his government in all aspects of development for mutual benefits.

“Kenya appreciates the bilateral relations between us and your respective countries. We look forward to working more closely to strengthen the bond of friendship for the next fifty years,” he said.

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