Minister Membe holds talks with British Minister Responsible for Africa Affairs

 Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation welcomes Hon. Mark Simmonds, British Minister Responsible for Africa Affairs prior to their meeting held today in the Ministry in Dar es Salaam.

 Hon. Membe in discussion with Hon. Simmonds about the recent Zimbabwe Constitutional Referendum held on 16 March, 2013.  Hon. Membe led a team of observer from SADC -Troika, as Tanzania currently sits as a Chairman of the Organ.  (photo by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago)

 

 The meeting between Hon. Membe and Hon. Simmonds continues, while delegation from both countries listen. (photo by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago)

 Hon. Membe, Hon. Simmonds together with British delegation that consisted of H.E. Dianna Melrose, British High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr. Alex Patridge (2nd left), Private Secretary to Minister Simmons and Ms. Susie Townend (left), Head of Southern Africa Department, Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).

 Minister Membe (2nd left) and Hon. Simmonds (left), together with Tanzania delegation that included Ambassador Dora Msechu, Director of Europe and Americas in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nathaniel Kaaya (2nd right), Acting Director of the Department of the Multilateral Cooperation and Ms. Zainab Angovi (right), Foreign Service Officer. 

 Hon. Simmonds (left) signing visitors' book during his meeting with Hon. Membe.

 Hon. Membe saying goodbye to H.E. Dianna Melrose, British High Commissioner to the United Republic of Tanzania.

Hon. Minister Bernard K. Membe (MP), listening to Hon. Mark Simmonds, British Minister of Responsible of African Affairs prior to say goodbye to him. (photo by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago)

Minister Membe holds talks with British Minister Responsible for Africa Affairs 

by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

Hon. Minister Bernard K. Membe (MP) of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation today held talks with Hon. Mark Simmonds, British Minister Responsible for Africa Affairs, discussing various key issues of continuing cooperation between the two countries.  The two met in the Minister's office in Dar es Salaam.  

During their meeting, the Ministers held bilateral talks that also highlighted the UK G-8 Presidency which started January 2013, and the upcoming Summit scheduled for later this June 2013 in Ireland. 

Further to their discussion, the Ministers talked about regional issues that included the recent Constitutional Referendum in Zimbabwe and Madagascar.  Hon. Membe, who led the team of observers from SADC- Organ Troika, said that the team is gearing forward for a free, peaceful and fair election in the coming months. The Members of from the Organ  are Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa.

For his part, Hon. Simmonds praised the leadership of President Jakaya Kikwete in overseeing a positive, peaceful constitutional referendum held in Zimbabwe recently.  He said his country too was looking forward to see a free, peaceful and fair election take place in Zimbabwe.

"The UK and the European Union are ready to assist if there are any challenges, lack of resources and if additional observers were needed to make the election possible", he said.   

On Madagascar part, Hon. Simmonds also hailed President Kikwete for bridging peace talks between President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar and Marc Ravalomanana, former President of Madagascar.  He said his country was eager to see a positive transition towards democratic government.

This year UK's G-8 Presidency Agenda is Tax, Trade and Transparency whereby Hon. Membe assured his counterpart Minister that the Agenda is also important for Tanzania as it will benefit on improving and imposing on frameworks that are relevant on transparency through trade and taxation. 

In concluding their meeting, both Ministers expressed to continue the friendly and traditional relations  that existed between UK and Tanzania for years.

End.