Ya Awa Touray
The Minister of Defence, H.E. Sering Modou Njie, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, His Excellency Dr. Mamadou Tangara, received a copy of the Letter of Credence of the first Resident German Ambassador-designate to The Gambia, Ambassador Klaus Botzet, to officially mark the beginning of her tenure.
Minister Njie warmly welcomed and congratulated the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of The Gambia and hailed the excellent ties between the two countries since 1965.
He acknowledged that Germany has been a significant development partner for The Gambia, providing financial and technical assistance for various development projects. The assistance, he said focused on areas such as forestry, healthcare, security, education, agriculture, and Infrastructural development.
Both sides reviewed relations of friendship between the two countries and expressed keenness to further bolster them to achieve common interests.
The two sides also discussed and alluded to the importance of increasing the volume of trade, better management of migration, bilateral assistance in education, training and security among other things.
Ambassador Klaus Botzet expressed willingness to work with The Gambia and assured continuous support and cooperation. The German Ambassador highlighted the new law on migration, allowing migrants who have already lived in Germany for at least five years by 31st October 2022, to apply for a temporary German residence permit. This temporary permit will allow holders time to further regularise their status whilst in Germany, to become holders of the “regular” German residence permit. The requirements include having committed no crime and acquiring proficiency of the German language.
Permanent Secretary I of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Lang Yabou welcomed the new Ambassador, and extended appreciation to the Government and the people of Germany for the continuous support given to The Gambia. He recognised the excellent ties between the two countries and assured the Ambassador of continuous collaboration. Ambassador Yabou also thanked Germany for opening an embassy, which he said signifies the importance attached to the relationship, and said the opening of the German Embassy in Banjul will soon be followed by the opening of the Gambian Embassy in Germany, which will result in a stronger partnership between the two countries and peoples.
In May this year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Mamadou Tangara graced the opening of the German Embassy in The Gambia with the German Minister of State, Her Excellency Ms. Katja Keul. During the opening of the Embassy Dr. Tangara said that it is hoped that with the opening of the German Embassy, issues such as irregular migration, visa and consular matters, promotion of legal pathway, and all other bilateral challenges between the two countries will be a thing of the past.
Ambassador Botzet was accompanied to the Foreign Ministry by Ms. Gabriele Boner, Chargé d’Affaires at the German Embassy.