Ghana, Ivory Coast to strengthen bilateral relations
Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire have agreed to strengthen their economic and bilateral relations for their mutual benefit and advantage.
An agreement to that effect, which will be concluded by the close of the year, will seek ways of deepening trade and commerce in the area of cocoa, oil, skills training and student exchange programmes.
The Ivorian President, Mr Allasane Ouattara, made this known to journalists after he had held a closed-door meeting with President John Evans Atta Mills on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) Summit which ended in Equatorial Guinea at the weekend.
He said the two countries had an ambition to build stronger relations in the next few years, adding that the vision would be followed to the letter.
On the situation in Cote d’Ivoire, President Quattara said the country had been stabilised while efforts were being made by his administration to ensure that all refugees returned home to support the nation’s development efforts.
President Ouattara lauded President Mills for his humane hospitality to Ivorian refugees in Ghana, saying that, “the political situation in Cote d’Ivoire is safe for our people to return home”.
He said the country was going through a period of reconstruction and reconciliation and that the continued support of President Mills was crucial in that endeavour.
The Ivorian President expressed his commitment to tap the expertise of President Mills in his country’s reconstruction effort.
Responding, President Mills reiterated Ghana’s commitment to forge a closer partnership with Cote d’Ivoire for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
He recalled the bond of friendship between the two countries dating back to the era of independence and said, “that bond of friendship will be deepened”.
Source: Daily Graphic