Courtesy call by Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, Minister for Planning 16/11/2010

Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, Minister for Planning and National Development paid a courtesy call on the Embassy of Kenya in Brussels on 9 November 2010 where he met with the home-based staff and held discussions on various issues. The Hon. Minister was in Brussels to attend the 92^nd Session of the ACP Council of Ministers meeting.

The Hon. Minister noted that the Embassy was one of the most strategic for the Government because of the headquarters of the ACP and the EU, whose relations are important to Kenya. He informed that his Ministry appreciates the support and work done by the Mission to facilitate their work with the ACP particularly in regard to the ACP Council of Ministers.

The Hon. Minister informed that we now have a new Kenya courtesy of the new Constitution, whose implementation will lead to fundamental changes. He noted that the Constitution will facilitate Kenya’s Vision 2030, whose objective is to transform Kenya into a middle income economy in 20 years. He informed that relevant committees at the Cabinet and Parliamentary levels have been constituted to oversee the implementation of the Constitution.

The Hon. Minister noted the critical role that the Embassy plays in the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreements. He informed of the Inter-Ministerial committee in Nairobi currently dealing with the issue and informed that he would bring to their attention the need to keep the Mission fully abreast given that it represents Kenya in negotiations taking place in Brussels.

H.E the Ambassador thanked the Hon. Minister for the discussions held with the staff at the Chancery, which is now a property of the Government of Kenya. On conclusion of the meeting the Hon. Minister was given a tour of the Chancery.