“Togolese diplomacy is doing fine,” said Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, cooperation and African integration, in an exclusive interview with the News Agency knowledge. Mr. Dussey takes little stock of diplomatic activities in 2016.

SavoirNews: How is today Togolese diplomacy?

Robert Dussey: Togolese diplomacy is fine. You, journalists, you are also witnesses to the “return of Togo on the international stage”. The agenda of this year 2016 finishing, shown so well as you may have noticed yourself…

SavoirNews: After a year of intense activity, up to the balance sheet. A few are the major actions taken by your Department in 2016?

For us, every day, every week and every month counts to meet the challenges of Togolese diplomacy. The vision of the president of the Republic, is to reposition the Togo in the concert of nations, which explains the many actions of Togolese diplomacy, who will visit here in Lomé (3, 4, 5 January 2016) Gerd Muller, German Minister for cooperation and development, to the successful diaspora initiative (January 15, 2016), a first in sub-Saharan Africa ,
through the spring of germano-togolaise cooperation (3, 4, 5 April 2016), an event universally liked by Berlin and Lomé, without forgetting the week of African integration, celebrated with pomp (23 to May 28, 2016), the 3rd edition of the Africa strategic Orientation Committee of the Western Union European (22-24 June 2016), the Africa China USA Consultations for peace (27-July 28, 2016).

This join State visits of president Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBÉ in China (29 to June 2, 2016), in Germany (8 to 3 June 2016), and Israel (7-11 August 2016), Kenya (11-13 December 2016), but also that of Manuel VALLS, former Prime Minister french, in Lomé.

Almanac 2016 Togolese diplomacy, will also hold the top extraordinary African Union on security and maritime security and development in Africa, held from 10 to 15 October last in Lome. Of course, talking about this Summit, is evoke the Lomé Charter, a first in Africa!

SavoirNews: What activity, you most?

As a journalist, and from the outside, you know better than us! Many of these activities are different from the other, and therefore not comparable.

But they illuminate Togo on the international scene and contribute to its repositioning in the concert of nations. So, it’s Togo that comes out again (…) grew up.
SavoirNews: December 7, you have again awarded the best agents of your Department. This is the third time that you ask such an act. On what criteria these agents selected?

As much we do economic diplomacy, a tool at the service of the development of Togo, as we believe that human resources must be of quality, as we believe he had to motivate all personnel to achieve this challenge, where “Award of excellence”.  These agents were judged on several criteria including: the social dimension, the professional dimension and the intellectual dimension.

Of course, these different dimensions or criteria have been rated by an independent jury, supported by the experts from the National for employment (ANPE). This edition of 2016, we therefore award winning 4 people (1 use, 1 Secretary, 1 frame and 1 officer).

SavoirNews: The second edition of the spring of germano-togolaise cooperation will be held beginning April 2017, a subject that you have indeed addressed to Berlin, during your recent visit. What are the innovations?

This initiative ‘spring of germano-togolaise cooperation’ is an expression of the vitality of the diplomatic and economic relations between Berlin and Lomé. The first edition (3, 4, 5 April 2016) was a success for all German and Togolese players.

The second edition which will be held on 3, 4, 5 April 2017, will see the participation of countries in the hinterland (Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso) Togo served from its deep water port (the only one in the Sub West African region).

Togo, which has a long history with the Germany, but also with its partners in the subregion, will give on the occasion of this second edition of the spring of the germano-togolaise cooperation, a strongly cultural cachet, particularly for the Germans and Togolese peoples. Also, partners from the private sector (in variety) will be mobilized to this second edition…

SavoirNews: A last word?

Thank you for your interest in Togo through his diplomacy. Also I would like to acknowledge and thank all the media and our partners who support us in our activities. Finally, I would like to wish you to yourself, to all men and women of the media, to our partners and to all, a happy year of health and success in 2017.

END

Interview given to Junior AUREL
Source: SavoirNews