PRESS RELEASE
WORKING VISIT OF
H.E. PROF. Robert DUSSEY,
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND TOGOLESE ABROAD
IN ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
10th To 12th August 2022
- At the invitation of his counterpart from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan H.E. Mr. Bilawal BHUTTO ZARDARI, H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, paid a working visit to Islamabad from August 10 to 12, 2022. This visit marks the will of the highest authorities of Togo and of Pakistan to deepen the ties of friendship which exist between the two countries and to open a new, more dynamic and fruitful page of their cooperation.
- During this visit, Minister DUSSEY met with eminent Pakistani political and private sector personalities, in particular, the Honorable Muhammad Sadiq SANJRANI, President of the Senate and Mr. Muhammad Shakeel MUNIR, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pakistan. Islamabad.
- The visit was also marked by a working session between the two foreign ministers during which issues of common interest related to bilateral cooperation and collaboration between Togo and Pakistan within international bodies as well as regional and international issues of common concern were addressed.
- Minister Robert DUSSEY took advantage of his stay on Pakistani soil to present to the government as well as to the country’s businessmen the priority sectors and projects of the 2020-2022 government roadmap which are, among others, the production and agricultural processing, maritime transport, infrastructure, trade and investment.
- During the various exchanges, he placed particular emphasis on the business opportunities offered by the Adétikopé industrial platform and Togo’s desire to further assert its vocation as a logistics and service hub by strengthening its port, airport and road infrastructure. He also invited Pakistani economic operators to visit Togo in order to establish partnerships with their Togolese counterparts.
- As part of strengthening their cooperation, the two parties agreed on the need to negotiate and quickly sign several agreements relating to political consultations between foreign ministries, partnership between chambers of commerce, promotion and protection of investments as well as the reciprocal visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
- Addressing sub-regional and African issues, the two delegations expressed their deep concern over the latest developments in the security situation in the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea marked by repeated attacks perpetrated by terrorist groups. Faced with this situation which aggravates the vulnerability of States and populations, they called on the international community to strengthen its support for the countries affected and to pool energies and strategies with a view to eradicating terrorism and violent extremism. around the world, particularly in the Sahel and West Africa.
- Minister BUTHO took this opportunity to express to the Togolese government and people, the fraternal solidarity of his country following the recent terrorist attacks in the North of the country. He also congratulated the President of the Togolese Republic, H.E.M. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE for his sub-regional leadership focused on dialogue and consultation in the service of the consolidation of peace, security and stability in West Africa. In this regard, he assured Pakistan’s readiness to support Togolese initiatives, in particular, Togo’s Strategy for the Sahel, which is part of harmonious sub-regional and regional cooperation.
- In return, Minister DUSSEY thanked and congratulated the Pakistani government for its contribution to the efforts undertaken by the international community with a view to stabilizing the Sahel and preserving peace and security in West Africa through the participation in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
- Prof. Robert DUSSEY, on the sidelines of his working visit to Pakistan, also took part in the work of the 4th World Youth Summit for Peace organized by the International Council of Human Rights during which he invited the representatives of the international youth to cultivate the virtues of peace and put their capacities for innovation at the service of the development of their respective countries and continents in order to contribute to building a better world.
- At the end of his stay, the Head of Togolese diplomacy expressed his deep gratitude to the Pakistani government for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and invited his Pakistani counterpart to pay a visit to Togo with a view to to finalize the discussions and launch the implementation of the conclusions of their work.
- Minister BUTO said he was very happy to accept this invitation. The date of the visit will be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels.
Done at Islamabad, 12th August 2022