“In the face of the lingering and coarser geopolitical and geo economic landscapes, the daunting challenge for Mauritius will be to maintain resilience, sustain growth and above all ensure the well being of our citizens”, stated the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo, today, in Mont Choisy.
He was speaking yesterday a Vin d’honneur organised for members of the diplomatic corps, at Mont Choisy Le Golf Restaurant.
Minister Ganoo dwelt on key developments of 2022 adding that the support of all diplomats have been integral in confronting challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and soaring prices of fuel, amongst others. He underlined that building resilience to the country’s vulnerabilities as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) is key to defining our diplomatic actions in the pursuit of our key goals.
We will at the same time target new bilateral partnerships, whilst continuing to leverage the advantages of our common membership in major international and regional organisations, such as the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the African Union, the Commonwealth and the Francophonie and, hopefully, others such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation”, he stated.
Minister Ganoo also spoke of the need to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries namely Reunion Island, Madagascar, Seychelles, and Comoros. “We look forward to hosting the Joint Meeting of the Coordinators in 2023 ahead of the Commission Mixte in 2024”, he added.
At the regional level, he said, our diplomacy will work hand in glove with all our partners to ensure that the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Southern African Development Community, Indian Ocean Rim Association and Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) are able to deliver on their respective mandate and mission. Mauritius will have the privilege of assuming the chairmanship of the IOC this year and we look forward to this rneighboringole with a sense of humility and determination, Minister Ganoo affirmed.
“In 2022, we also worked hard in our efforts to further deepen our bilateral interactions with our partners in Asia and the Middle-East namely India, Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China, and Japan amongst others”, he indicated. The need to formulate a coherent Asia Strategy with a view to enhance relations with emerging countries in the continent such as Indonesia, and Vietnam, was also underlined by the Minister.
Mauritius, he added, is keen to expand its longstanding and excellent relationship with the European Union at all possible levels and within the Cotonou Partnership Agreement and its successor agreement.
In view to further enhancing bilateral ties and cooperatin , Minister Ganoo indicated that his Ministry will continue its role as a main facilitator for the implementation of the foreign policy of Mauritius. On this note, he expressed his appreciation for the diplomatic corps that are working hand in hand with Mauritius towards achieving shared objectives and ambitions.
