France Ambassador Updates Acting Foreign Affairs Minister

The France Ambassador to Sierra Leone and Guinea Jean-Marc Grosgurin on Wednesday 14th November, 2018 updated the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mrs. Nimatulai Bah-Chang on plans of the French Government for Sierra Leone. The Ambassador told the Acting Minster that his Government intends to invest in the areas of military, agriculture, mining and banking with the view of boosting the cooperation between the two countries. He said strengthening cooperation with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) naval wing and the Ministry of Marine Resources will lead to the control of illegal fishing on Sierra Leone waters.

Ambassador Grosgurin requested for the visit of French Naval boat to duck in Freetown and to train the navy wing of the RSLAF on operational use of naval vessels, air/maritime on surveillance of Sierra Leone territorial waters. He expressed the French Government intention to support Sierra Leone on the Free Quality Education. The French Ambassador pledged to ensure the upgrading of the French of Honorary Consul in Sierra Leone to an Embassy and appealed for the opening of a Sierra Leone Embassy in France. He appealed to the Acting Minister for a meeting with President Julius Maada Bio to convey President Emmanuel Macron’s request for a State visit of President Bio to France.

The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nimatulai Bah-Chang welcomed the Ambassador of France to Sierra Leone. Mrs. Bah-Chang informed the Ambassador about the Ministry’s focus on economic diplomacy. She added that the New Direction has it priority areas, one of which is the educational sector. She said that the Government is trying to open an Embassy in France in order to strengthen their relationship with the European Union. The Acting Minister concluded by informing the Ambassador about the Ministry’s plan to establish a diplomatic academy for the training of staff, civil and public servant as well as people from other countries.