Newly-appointed French and Venezuelan ambassadors to Namibia aim to strengthen cooperation, with a focus on trade, investment, cultural exchange and educational partnerships.
The two ambassadors presented their letters of credence to President Nangolo Mbumba at State House yesterday, outlining their respective countries’ plans to deepen cooperation with Namibia across various sectors.
In a side-interview at State House with New Era, French ambassador Cécile Vigneau emphasised that her country seeks to enhance its partnership with Namibia, focussing on trade, investment,
cultural exchange and educational partnerships.
She highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two countries, dating back to Namibia’s independence struggle in the 1980s.
“France supported Namibia’s path to independence, and our relations have developed smoothly and nicely,” Vigneau remarked.
Despite this positive history, she stressed the need for further strengthening in several areas, including support for French companies in strategic sectors like water, renewable energy, agriculture, tourism and logistics.
She also underscored the importance of cultural and educational exchanges, particularly through the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre and university partnerships.
Ambassador Vigneau expressed her desire to expand educational exchanges, recognising the current limited exchange of students between France and Namibia. She aims to implement existing agreements to facilitate these exchanges, thereby enriching the educational landscape of both countries.
“We do not have a lot of Namibian students in France, and French students in Namibia. We need to strengthen this area so that we will increase the number of students,” she said.
Meanwhile, newly-designated Venezuelan ambassador Magaly Josefina Henríquez González highlighted the long-standing diplomatic ties between Namibia and Venezuela, which span over 34 years. She expressed a commitment to consolidating this relationship, describing it as “based on solidarity, support and friendship”. She emphasised the significance of Venezuela’s relationship with Africa, particularly Namibia, and outlined key areas for potential cooperation.
Additionally, she stressed the importance of collaboration in science and education to promote the development and well-being of both countries’ peoples. “We have several areas of interest that we want to develop together,” the ambassador stated, mentioning the petroleum, oil and mining sectors as focal points.
For Venezuela, the focus lies on sectors crucial to both nations’ development. The ambassador emphasised a collaborative approach in the petroleum, oil and mining sectors, alongside science and education.
“The relationship between Namibia and Venezuela is based on the welfare of our peoples,” she noted, indicating a commitment to initiatives that directly benefit the citizens of both countries. Similarly, the Venezuelan ambassador emphasised the role of science and education in fostering the development and well-being of both nations.
The president received the two letters of credentials before his departure to New York to participate in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.