By Surihe Gaomas
WINDHOEK
Namibia is ready to further expand and strengthen bilateral relations with Libya through increased cooperation between the two governments and its people.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Marco Hausiku said this on the occasion of the celebration of the 38th anniversary of the Libyan Revolution, in Windhoek on Monday night.
Addressing close to 300 dignitaries, Hausiku said Namibia and Libya both seek to broaden the scope of mutual economic and cultural co-operation for the benefit of both countries.
“I would encourage our business people in Namibia and Libya to explore these possibilities that exist in order for us to cooperate economically and culturally so that we grow our economies,” said Hausiku.
Expressing gratitude to the Libyan Government, the minister said Libya continues to be a source of inspiration to Namibia.
“Your country provided Namibia with political, material and moral support through SWAPO, during the difficult days of our struggle for freedom and national independence,” he said.
Over the years, Namibia also benefited from the youth ex-change programmes offered by Libya in various fields.
The programmes are a welcome boost in light of the current unemployment situation in Namibia.
“We believe that this programme will make a positive contribution to youth employment and self-employment,” said Hausiku.
Speaking at the same occasion, Ambassador of the People’s Bureau of the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Salem Krayem, said he was content with the existing good relations between the two countries’ leaders.
Krayem said there are prospects of expanding agricultural and industrial projects in the near future.
On September 1, 1969, the Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi overthrew the Western-backed King Idris the First.
High-level dignitaries attended the anniversary celebration and guests were treated to entertainment by well-known Namibian musician Jackson Kaujeua and lively performances from a Tswana Cultural Group.