Biya welcomes German Vice President

Issues of safety and economy were at the heart of talks between Cameroon’s president and the vice-president of the German federal parliament.

Johannes Singhammer and two other parliamentarians, Petra Ernstberger and Michael Hennrich were all warmly welcomed yesterday at the Unity Palace.

After a forty-five minute talk with the Head of State, the illustrious German host told the press that this interview was a great opportunity to revisit an old friendship between Germany and Cameroon.

He said: "Mr. President welcomed us warmly and very cordially. We were able to talk about the great friendship existing between us and the deepening of relations of cooperation between our two countries.”

With respect to security issues, Mr Singhammer said that his country, and Europe in general, observe with admiration the role played by Cameroon to ensure peace and stability in the Central African region.

He promised Cameroon can count on the multifaceted support from Germany and other European countries to deal with these issues of insecurity, including terrorist actions lead Boko Haram, along the border with Nigeria.

Speaking of economic cooperation, the vice-president announced the partnership between Yaoundé and Berlin will know a clear evolution. Through this partnership, a fertilizer plant will soon emerge in Cameroon.

In view of the many potentialities that exist between the two countries, further investments will follow. As a prerequisite to attract many other German investors in our country the establishment of a permanent state of peace and stability is required.

As a reminder, Cameroon belongs to the group of 50 partners benefiting from the German development cooperation in Africa. Since Cameroon’s independence in 1960, Germany has financed its development to the tune of €906.3 million.

According to a statement of the German parliament, in 2016, €94.5 million will be invested in the three priority areas of cooperation such as decentralization and good governance, sustainable use of resources and rural development. It also pledges the health sector will not be neglected, especially in the fight against mother-child mortality.