PRESS
RELEASE
MINISTER MAHIGA SPEAKS ABOUT FIVE DECADE-LONG
THRIVING RELATIONS BETWEEN TANZANIA AND NORWAY
Tanzania Foreign Minister Hon. Dr.
Augustine Mahiga has told his Norwegian counterpart Hon. Ine Eriksen Soreide
today that the strength behind flourishing Tanzania-Norway bilateral relations
has been the distinctive cooperation and strategic assistance that exist for
over five decades now between these two traditional partners. The two leaders
held talks at the Government Guest House to kick start the first-ever political
and diplomatic consultations meeting aimed at strengthening their relations.
Minister Mahiga who is in Oslo for a
three-day working visit told the Norwegian delegation that besides diplomatic
relations that Tanzania enjoys, the Norwegian government has been in the
forefront in providing substantial amount of development assistance to Tanzania
with a plus, throughout all the leadership phases in the country.
“Our bilateral relations with you, our
friends, date back before the independence of Tanganyika whereby Norwegian
teachers, doctors, nurses and engineers, came to the country to provide social
services to the people of Tanzania particularly in rural areas” Hon. Mahiga
said. This is a testimony that the two countries have long-standing relations,
adding that “shortly after independence in 1960’s and 1970’s the Norwegian and
Tanzanian governments participated in joint Nordic Projects like the Kibaha
Education Centre and the Uyole Agricultural Research Centre, in line with
policies and principles of an independent Tanganyika. This demonstrates that Norwegian
cooperation is strategically aligned with our country’s vision” Minister Mahiga
complemented.
Responding to this, Hon. Ine Eriksen
Soreide said that her government has over the years enjoyed the relations with
Tanzania and as a Foreign Minister; she will strive to continue this trend.
Norwegian government has selected Tanzania to be among its recipients of
development assistance and her duty is to make sure that this is implemented
swiftly.
“Norway and Tanzania see eye to eye in
many global issues of concern such as global peace, improving multilateral
trading system, international order as well as world efforts in prevention of
conflicts. In all this we view Tanzania as a key and credible player in the
African region and our partner in development” Hon. Soreide emphasized. She
added that she looks forward to continue with the commenced political
consultations annually, for mutual benefits in those issues. Hon. Mahiga assured Minister Soreide that
Tanzania will reciprocate hosting the consultations next year, which will be
held in Dodoma, the capital city of Tanzania.
Under the political and diplomatic
consultations framework, Hon. Mahiga and
his delegation also held talks with the Norwegian Development Minister Hon.
Nikolai Astrup at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In their consultations,
Minister Mahiga reiterated Norwegian strategic assistance for development to
Tanzania which is key for economic growth and alleviation of poverty.
“Given the historical ties between us, your
government has always provided support to projects that are much beneficial in
rural areas example rural electrification. Norway’s support to energy sector is
key given the role of the sector in supporting our economic growth”, said Amb.
Mahiga.
Other areas in Tanzania that receive
Norwegian assistance are; management of public recourses as well as tax
collection. The Government of Norway through the assistance programs of Oil for
Development and Tax for Development contribute to build capacity of Tanzania’s
institutions responsible management of resources, management of public revenues
and environment protection.
The maiden Political and Diplomatic
Consultations comes as a result of the MoU signed in 2017 in Dar es Salaam
between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Tanzania and Norway, which enable
the two ministries to discuss issues of mutual concern in order to enhance
further bilateral ties. Next round of consultations of this nature are
envisaged to take place next year in Dodoma, Tanzania.
-ENDS-
Issued by:
Government
Communication Unit,
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation,
Oslo Norway,
June 20 2018