Hon. Membe's speech during the Tanzania-Oman JPC Meeting

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation gives his opening remarks during the Meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation between Tanzania and Oman.  The meeting has been held since 24 February, 2013 at Hyatt Regency (Kilimanjaro) Hotel in Dar es Salaam and is expected to be concluded today. 

Delegation from Oman listening to Hon. Membe's opening remarks.

Tanzania Delegation that included Government and Private Institutions also were in attendance.

            OPENING STATEMENT BY HON. BERNARD KAMILLIUS MEMBE (MP), MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TANZANIA – OMAN JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION OF COOPERATION SCHEDULED 24^th FEBRUARY, 2013

Honourable Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman,

Honorable Ministers from the United Republic of Tanzania,

Honorable Ministers accompanying the Head of Delegation of Oman,

Distinguished Senior Officials of both Delegation

Distinguished Delegates from Tanzania and Oman,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to welcome home Honourable Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman and your delegation to Tanzania, and to this First Joint Permanent Commission between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Sultanate of Oman.

Tanzania is both second and first home to some of Omani’s generations. History reminds us that once the headquarters of the Sultanate of Oman was in Zanzibar. The legacy and influence of Omani presence is well traced in both Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland. We share the history, Swahili language and many cultural aspects. Today we are determined to share prosperity and the future.

            Distinguished Delegates

This first meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission between Tanzania and Oman is indeed a testimony of a renewed interest by our Governments of Tanzania and Oman. Our two countries share long cultural, historical and blood relations. We have cooperating very well informally for centuries. It is about time to formalize our relations through this formal commission, a rightful legal framework to ensure our cooperation further enhanced and strengthened.

As we are all aware a more fruitful cooperation between any two countries highly depends on a properly structured legal framework that binds the two countries together. We therefore call this meeting to chart out thematic discussions on issues of common concern and interest to our two brotherly countries such as, Housing, Water Supply, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Transport, Infrastructure, Health, Natural Resources, Tourism, Trade, Industry, Energy and Minerals, Education and Labour Matters.

Distinguished Delegates

The memories of the successful State Visit of H.E Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania in the Sultanate of Oman in October, 2012, are still very fresh to us. On that visit, the two sides signed three (3) Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding. These include:

• Agreement on Investment Promotion and Reciprocal Protection;
• Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Archives;
• Memorandum of Understanding on Establishment of Joint Business Council so as to facilitate and speed up investment and business between our two brotherly countries.

Internal negotiations are continuing at different stages in regard to the other bilateral agreements and Memorandum of Understanding between our Governments are in different status. The completion and signing of these agreements are crucial towards putting in place a strong foundation for cooperation in different sectors. I therefore urge our two sides to expedite the negotiation process so that we can sign the MoUs at our earliest opportunity. These remaining draft agreements and Memoranda are:-

a)    The Draft Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations between Oman and the United Republic of Tanzania:

b)    The Draft Agreement on Higher Education between the United Republic of Tanzania and Oman.

c)     The Draft Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Fiscal Evasion:

d)    The Draft Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Cooperation between the United Republic of Tanzania and Oman:

e)    The Draft Agreement on labour Matters.

Your Excellency and Distinguished Delegates

The Government of Tanzania very much welcomed the introduction of the Oman Air Service to Dar es Salaam on 3^rd June, 2010, as a result of the signing of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between our two countries. We are glad to note that the Airline increased the frequency of flights from just a few per week to daily services. It is no doubt that we will record in near future increased contacts between our peoples.

Distinguished Delegates

Official records of trade between Tanzania and Oman stood is by all account low. This statistics is definitely missing the blossoming informal trade between our people, as a result of long existing family ties.

I would like to therefore urge our two countries to make concerted efforts to use the said legal framework to create an enabling environment in which public and private sector entities can invest in each other’s economy. The strategic competitive advantages on the Oman side (ample capital and technical know-how) if combined with the huge comparative advantages (land, natural resources and labour force) on the Tanzania side, will create the required synergy for sustainable development and mutual economic benefit to both sides.

 I would like also to renew our Government’s invitation to Omani business people to invest in the various sectors of our economy. I assure that Tanzania has a very conducive investment regime that is among the best in the region. Tanzania should be a launch pad for Oman business and investment to the South and East Africa markets.  Investing in Tanzania gives you access to the SADC Region and as well as to the East African Community member countries, with a 200 million market population.   I also urge the Government of Oman to open its doors and allow Tanzanian good and services to enter into the Omani economy.

Your Excellency

To that effect, closer co-operation between the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) and Zanzibar Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture and their Omani counterpart should therefore, be encouraged through the Joint Business Council between the two countries as this would boost up trade and investments and further strengthen these ties.  

Your Excellency

It is quite difficult to explain the strong relations between Oman and Tanzania in a one speech, rather in volume of books. It suffices to take this opportunity to reiterate Tanzania’s confidence in our relations, and our resolve to deepening and strengthening them for the good of our successive generations. We remain grateful to H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for their blessings and personal support to strengthen the relations between our two countries.

With this few remarks I once again say to our dear Omani brothers
“karibuni sana mujisikie mko nyumbani ndugu zetu wa Oman”.

AHSANTENI KWA KUNISIKILIZA

Tanzania-Oman for better economic cooperation

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minster for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation earlier today held a tête-à-tête meeting with H.E. Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsive for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, prior to Official Opening of the Tanzania-Oman Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPC).  The meeting officially commenced today and is expected to end on February 25, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency (Kilimanjaro) Hotel in Dar es Salaam. 

Hon. Membe and H.E. Abdullah share a laughter during their tête-à-tête meeting.

Mr. John M. Haule, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, gives his welcoming  remarks to Hon. Membe.

Hon. Membe gives his opening remarks during the Tanzania-Oman Joint Permanent Commission.

Hon. Membe continues during his opening remarks.

H.E. Abdulla gives his opening remarks during the meeting. 

Hon. Membe opens one of the clusters. 

Hon. Membe opens one of the clusters during the Tanzania/Oman.

  

Oman delegation that was led by Hon. Membe.

Hon. Membe walks H.E. Abdullah after opening one of the clusters.

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

Hon. Membe welcomes Oman's Foreign Minister to Tanzania

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, in talks with his counterpart H.E. Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman.  H.E. Abdullah had just arrived at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, ready to attend the two-days Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation between Tanzania and Oman.

The meeting is scheduled to start on February 24 to 25, 2013 at Hyatt Regency (Kilimanjaro) Hotel in Dar es Salaam. 

Hon. Membe (right), H.E. Abdulla (center) and H.E. Yahya bin Moussa al Bakri, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman in the United Republic of Tanzania. 

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), exchanges views with Ambassador Simba Yahya (2nd right -standing), Director of the Department of Middle East in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and H.E. Ali Ahmed Saleh (kneeling down), Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania in Oman.  

H.E. Yahya bin Moussa al Bakri, Ambassador of Sultanate of Oman in the United Republic of Tanzania in discussion with H.E. Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman.

Delegation from Oman, upon their arrival today at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.

  

Hon. Membe welcomes again H.E. Abdullah to the United Republic of Tanzania, during their arrival at the Hyatt Regency (Kilimanjaro) Hotel in Dar es Salaam. 

  

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in a discussion with Ambassador Simba Yahya (2nd left), Director of the Department of Middle East in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Others are H.E. Ali Ahmed Saleh (right), Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania in Oman and Mr. Togolani Mavura (2nd right), Private Assistant to Honorable Minister Membe. 

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

Oman's Foreign Minister in Dar for a two-day JPC

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, welcomes H.E.  Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman.  

H.E. Abdullah is in the country attending a two-day Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation between Tanzania and Oman (JPC) which is set to kick start on February 24 to 25, 2013 at Hyatt Regency (Kilimanjaro) Hotel in Dar es Salaam. 

Hon. Membe hugs and welcomes H.E. Abdullah to Tanzania upon his arrival today at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.   

H.E. Ali Ahmed Saleh, Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to Oman welcomes H.E. Abdullah.

Ambassador Simba Yahya, Director of the Department of Middle East in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tanzania welcomes H.E. Abdullah.

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

A courtesy visit of High Commissioner of Pakistan

High Commissioner Tajammul Atlaf (left) of the High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan earlier today paid a courtesy visit to Ambassador Mbelwa Kairuki (right), Director of the Department of Asia and Australasia in the Ministry.  Among other things, the two Ambassadors discussed areas of continued cooperation in the fields such as 
industry, agriculture, health and education.  Also in the photo is Mr. Charles Faini, Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry.

High Commissioner Tajammul Atlaf making a point during his discussion with Ambassador Kairuki. 

Ambassador Kairuki (right) reviewing documents while listening to Ambassador Atlaf.  Also in the photo is Mr. Charles Faini, Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry.

Ambassador Kairuki (right) listening to Ambassador Atlaf  of the Islamic Republic of Oman during their discussion earlier today in the Ministry.  Also in the photo is Mr. Charles Faini (2nd right), Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry.

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI

TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI

Mkutano wa kwanza wa Tume ya Pamoja ya Kudumu ya Ushirikiano kati ya Tanzania na Oman (Joint Permanent Cooperation), tarehe 24 hadi 25 Februari, 2013

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Mhe. Bernard K. Membe (Mb), anatarajiwa kufungua Mkutano wa Kwanza wa Tume ya Pamoja ya Kudumu ya Ushirikiano kati ya Tanzania na Oman (Joint Permanent Cooperation), tarehe 24 Februari, 2013 katika Hoteli ya Hyatt Regency (Kilimanjaro) iliyopo Dar es Salaam.

Mkutano huo pia utahudhuriwa na Waziri anayeshughulikia Masuala ya Mambo ya Nje wa Oman, Mhe. Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah anayetarajiwa kuwasili nchini Jumamosi tarehe 23 Februari, 2013 saa 11 kamili jioni kwenye Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere uliopo mjini Dar es Salaam. 

Mkutano huo unatokana na Makubaliano yaliyosainiwa tarehe 14 Oktoba 2009 kati ya nchi hizo mbili mjini Muscat, Oman.

Pamoja na mambo mengine, Mkutano huo utajadili masuala ya ushirikiano baina ya Tanzania na Oman katika Sekta za Kilimo, Mifugo na Uvuvi, Nishati na Madini, Viwanda na Biashara, Elimu, Afya, Uwekezaji, Utamaduni na Habari.

Imetolewa na:

KITENGO CHA MAWASILIANO YA SERIKALI,

WIZARA YA MAMBO YA NJE NA USHIRIKIANO WA KIMATAIFA,

DAR ES SALAAM.

22 Februari, 2013.

Rais Mwai Kibaki wa Kenya awasili nchini kwa ziara ya siku mbili

Ndege iliyombeba Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya, Mhe. Mwai Kibaki ikiwasili katika Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere huku Viongozi na Wanachi waliofika kumpokea wakishangilia kuwasili kwa Rais huyo nchini. Mhe. Rais Kibaki yupo nchini kwa ziara ya kitaifa ya siku mbili.

Mhe. Rais Kibaki akiteremka kwenye ndege mara baada ya kuwasili ambapo alipokelewa na mwenyeji wake Mhe. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania

Gwaride la Heshima wakati wa mapokezi hayo.

Mhe. Rais Kibaki akielekea kukagua Gwaride la Heshima.

Mhe. Rais Kibaki akikagua Gwaride la Heshima.

 Mhe. Rais Kibaki akiwa na mwenyeji wake Mhe. Rais Kikwete mara baada ya kukagua Gwaride la Heshima.

Mhe. Rais Kibaki pamoja na mwenyeji wake Mhe. Rais Kikwete wakifurahia burudani ya kikundi cha utamaduni kilichokuwepo Uwanjani hapo wakati wa mapokezi

Mhe. Rais Kibaki akiwa na Mhe. Rais Kikwete wakiondoka Uwanjani hapo mara baada ya mapokezi.

Mhe. Bernard K. Membe (Mb.) (kushoto), Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa akiwa na Mhe. Sam Ongeri, Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Kenya wakielekea Hotelini kwa mazungumzo mara baada ya mapokezi ya Mhe. Rais Kibaki.

Rajoelina upbeat on AU Sanctions

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (left), hand-delivers a special message to H.E. Andry Rajoelina, President of the Transition Government of Madagascar yesterday in the State House located in Antananarivo City. Minister Membe was in Madagascar as a Government Special Envoy to hand-deliver a special message on behalf of President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Hon. Membe (2nd left), in discussion with President Rajoelina. Also in the photo are Ambassador Liberata Mulamula (left), Senior Advisor (Diplomatic Affairs) to President Kikwete and interpreter (2nd right).

Hon. Membe holds a press conference after his meeting with President Rajoelina of the Transitional Government of Madagascar.

Hon. Membe in discussion with Mr. Andriatina Jacques Ulrich, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in Madagascar.

Hon. Membe in discussion with Acting Foreign Minister of Madagascar, Mr. Andriatina Jacques Ulrich (right) and Ambassador Mulamula.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (2nd left), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in a group photo with Mr. Andriatina Jacques Ulrich (left), Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs in Madagascar. Others in the photo are Mr. Mkwizu of the President's Office (right), Mr. Stephen Wambura (2nd right), SADC Liaison Officer (Tanzania) in Madagascar, Mr. Nicodemus Mwangela (3rd right), SADC Liasion Officer (Tanzania) in Madagascar and Mr. Afonso Evaristo Eduardo (3rd left - behind), Liaison Officer (Angola) in Madagascar.

Rajoelina upbeat on AU Sanctions

By TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO

Antananarivo, Madagascar

President of Transitional Government of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina has appealed to the international community, essentially the AU and SADC to remove the sanctions imposed on his transitional government.

He made such a profound request yesterday when he met with Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, in his State House located in Antananarivo City. Minister Membe was in Madagascar as a Government Special Envoy to hand-deliver a Special Message on behalf of President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Speaking to the reporters after the meeting, Hon. Membe said that the message he carried from President Kikwete was a follow up on the development of transitional government in Madagascar, as it prepares for the upcoming Presidential elections. He further noted that President Kikwete wanted to know the outcome of discussion between President Rajoelina and the United Nations’ Secretary General Ban Ki moon in their recent meeting this year.

President Kikwete currently serves a Chairperson of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC –Troika), after inheriting the Chairmanship from South Africa last August 2012.

On his part, President Rajoelina appealed to President Kikwete to assist in lifting any and all sanctions imposed upon his transitional government and for perpetrating the status quo. Other sanctions targeted the 109 accomplices and confidants of President Rajoelina for their involvement in the 2009 coup d’etat. He explained that the conditions set in the roadmap by the international community have been fully implemented.

Further, President Rajoelina availed the commitment of his transitional government to see a democratic election takes place in July 2013.

In his response, Minister Membe said that the removal of sanctions is not conditional to the return of Marc Ravalomanana, former President of the Republic of Madagascar. “The roadmap is for SADC-Troika to see that the upcoming elections will be fair and profound for the people of Madagascar,” said Hon. Membe.

The sanctions in question were imposed by the African Union and supported by the Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC) and the International Community.

Minister Membe further explained that President Rajoelina informed him that his transitional government has fulfilled its obligation as mandated by AU, which included his withdrawal of presidential candidacy in the upcoming elections in July of this year. Others are storing peace and normalcy back in the country in preparation for the democratic election later this year.

Hon. Membe led the Tanzania delegation that included Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, Senior Advisor (Diplomatic Affairs) to President Kikwete, Mr. Mkwizu of the President’s Office, Mr. Assah Mwambene, Director of Information in the Ministry of Communication, Youth, Culture and Sports and other Governmental officials. For the Madagascar’s part, the delegation was led by President Rajoelina, Mr. Andriatina Jacques Ulrich, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and other transitional government officials.

Hon. Membe is expected to return back in Dar es Salaam later today.

TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI

TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya, Mhe. Mwai Kibaki anatarajia kuwasili nchini tarehe 20 Februari, 2013 kwa ziara ya kitaifa ya siku mbili. Ziara hiyo ya Mhe. Rais Kibaki inafuatia mwaliko wa Mhe. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania. Aidha, ziara ya Mhe. Rais Kibaki inafanyika kufuatia ziara ya Mhe. Rais Kikwete nchini Kenya mwezi Septemba, 2012.

Mhe. Rais Kibaki ambaye anatarajiwa kuwasili katika  Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere tarehe 20 Februari, 2013 saa 9.00 alasiri, atapokelewa na mwenyeji wake, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mhe. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

Akiwa hapa nchini, Mhe. Rais Kibaki atafanya mazungumzo rasmi na Mhe. Rais Kikwete tarehe 20 Februari 2013 kabla ya kushiriki katika Dhifa ya Kitaifa itakayoandaliwa kwa heshima yake na Mhe. Rais Kikwete, Ikulu, Dar es Salaam.

Mhe. Rais Kibaki anatarajiwa pia kukutana na  Wazee wa Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam tarehe 21 Februari, 2013, kuzindua Barabara ya Mwai Kibaki na kutembelea Gereza Kuu la Ukonga Jijini Dar es Salaam ili kujionea shughuli mbalimbali zinazolenga kuwarekebisha Wafungwa kuwa Raia wema na kuwapa mafunzo ya kiufundi kuwawezesha kujitegemea wanapomaliza vifungo vyao. Shughuli hizo ni pamoja na  ushonaji, useremala na kilimo cha kisasa.

Mhe. Rais Kibaki ataondoka nchini tarehe 21 Februari, 2013 kurejea nchini kwake.

IMETOLEWA NA: WIZARA YA MAMBO YA NJE NA USHIRIKIANO WA KIMATAIFA, DAR ES SALAAM.

19 FEBRUARI, 2013