BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The governments of Barbados and Senegal have committed to enhancing ties through cooperation in several areas.
This was disclosed by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and President of the Republic of Senegal Macky Sall at a joint press conference held late Wednesday.
Mottley noted that Barbados, like Senegal, recognizes a need for structural transformation of the economic structures. Without it, the people of both nations will not be able to prosper and make the transition into the new 21st century.
“It’s important to know that we face common challenges but have a common approach to development. Like Barbados, Senegal has provided its people with free primary and tertiary education. It has invested heavily in health care, and therefore believes that at the center of development must come to its people,” the Prime Minister stated.
To this end, both leaders assured that their governments are committed to deepening ties and cooperating in several areas outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Political Cooperation signed on Wednesday.
The MOU speaks to the framework under which steps will be taken to cooperate in tourism, culture, food, and nutritional security, to name a few.
“We’ve had sporadic interaction at the people-to-people level and occasional interaction at the diplomatic level. This (official visit) signals a desire to change the fact that we don’t want that kind of sporadic relationship, but we want a continuous one as neighbors. We hope to sign an air services agreement shortly, as well as a double taxation agreement and bilateral investment treaty,” Mottley said.
The Prime Minister disclosed that an offer was made to have Barbadian works housed in the Museum of Black Civilizations, which she described as “a major honor.”
She also disclosed that an invitation had been extended for five artists to participate in the Biennale in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, in May.
“It is another great opportunity for us to express that Barbadians, even though from a small nation, in terms of land size, we have been able to produce persons capable of global excellence, not just in the form of Sir Gary or Rihanna, but indeed among our artists and other expressions of creativity,” Mottley.
In indicating his commitment to working with the Government of Barbados, Sall noted that activities during his visit, including the bilateral meeting and business forum, signaled the willingness to work together towards the development of both countries and their people.
“With you, my dear Mia, we are committed to reforming global governance, particularly under the Bridgetown process you initiated. Together, we are convinced that the international system inherited from the Second World War is obsolete and can no longer govern the realities of the 21st century. So, everybody must muster the courage to take the next step to enter a more just world, a global village.…
“We have a common history; we have the same origins; we just were separated in pain by slavery. This is why we should do our utmost together to preserve our collective memory, especially to respect our cultural and civilizational values,” Sall stated.
The Senegalese President thanked the Prime Minister and the people of Barbados for the warm welcome and hospitality he and his delegation received.
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