Gambia-Guinea set to expand ties

On Wednesday, July 16,  President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh concluded a three-day state visit to Guinea-Conakry. During his stay in Conakry, the Gambian leader held extensive discussions with his Guinean counterpart. They seized the opportunity to review the principles guiding the bilateral relationship between Banjul and Conakry.

Prompted by their common desire to further strengthening their traditional friendship and cooperation, the visit saw the two countries renewing their commitment to strengnten the cooperation.  

Aware that the bilateral cooperation meets the long-term interests of the two peoples and desirous of promoting international peace and security, and determined to intentify the positive achievements recorded in bilateral relations, the two laeders reiterated in a joint communiqué, their strong will to expand ties.

According to the joint communiqué, the two sides affirmed that they will pursue the cooperation existing in the areas of fisheries (the 2002 agreement), water ressources, commerce, transport, civil service and tourism.

Agreement was not only reached on deepening the  Gambia-Guinea Conakry cooperation, but also to have a firm stand on international and regional issues of common interest.

In the sector of water ressources, the two sides agreed to work on a common programme within the framework of the OMVG. Consequently, they will promote the OMVG energy projects at the Kaléla and Samagouly dams.
 
At the regional level, the two countries resolutely decided to promote inter-regional commerce and re-affirmed their desire to encourage negociations within the ECOWAS Commission so as to reach a balanced agreement on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

As a result, the Gambian side invited Guinea to participate in the forthcoming ECOWAS Banjul Inter-ministerial Meeting on EPAs.