Courtesy Call by Hon. Ramadhan Seif Kajembe  17/12/2010

Hon. Ramadhan Seif Kajembe, Assistant Minister for Environment & Mineral Resources paid a courtesy call on the Embassy of Kenya in Brussels on 15 December 2010, where he met with the home-based staff and held discussions on various issues. The Hon. Asst. Minister was in Brussels to attend the ACP Ministerial Meeting on the Development of Mining Resources.

The Hon. Assistant Minister expressed his gratitude to the Embassy for the warm welcome, and noted that the Embassy plays an important role as it is strategically located at 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 development of mining resources and environmental issues.

The Hon. Assistant Minister was in Brussels to attend the first meeting of ACP Ministers responsible for the Mineral Resources Industry, which took place from 13 to 15 December 2010 at the ACP House in Brussels. The Ministerial meeting discussed the importance of the mineral resources sector for the economy of the ACP countries and benefit for their population. The meeting also looked at the Africa Mining Vision, a blueprint for the continent to harness its rich mineral endowment with the view to building resilient and competitive economies, and making a dent on poverty as envisaged by the Millennium Development Goals, among other issues.  

The Embassy staff had a cordial interaction with the Hon. Assistant Minister, and they were updated on developments taking place in Kenya, particularly what the government and parliament are doing to ensure that Kenyans enjoy good living standards. With regard to Kenya’s international relations, he quoted the former British Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston: “We have no permanent allies, we have no permanent enemies, we only have permanent interests”. He summed it up by saying that it is in this light that political activity and world events can be understood.

Mr. Washington Oloo, Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i., thanked the Hon. Assistant Minister for taking time to visit the Chancery, and for his words of wisdom, encouragement and inspiration to members of staff. The Hon. Minister signed the visitor’s book and later on was taken for a tour of the Chancery by the Chargé d'Affaires.