Equatorial Guinea Multiplies Cooperation Contacts

Equatorial Guinea's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Agapito Mba Mokuy, visiting Cameroon on the occasion of the eighth session of the Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea Joint Commission, has taken the opportunity to have working sessions with some cabinet ministers in view of strengthening bilateral cooperation.

In the different ministries visited since arrival on August 27, Agapito Mba Mokuy transmitted President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo's message, "Cameroon is a friendly country. We have the obligation to seek solutions and not problems." Before co-chairing the opening ceremony of the Joint Commission session, on August 27, he had a courtesy audience with Cameroon's Minister of External Relations, Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo. He later on in the evening had working sessions at the General Delegation for National Security, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation and finally with the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie.

The security of Cameroonians in Equatorial Guinea, violation of Cameroon's airspace by Equatorial Guinea's planes, the persistent repatriation of West African immigrants through Cameroon and poaching in Cameroon's southern protected areas, featured prominently in discussions at the National Gendarmerie. Agapito Mba Mokuy and the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Jean- Baptiste Bokam, expressed the determination of the two countries in fostering cooperation in the domains of security through establishing a veritable security platform along the borders, exchange of training programmes for defence and other personnel. The two officials heading delegations of their respective countries, proposed an understanding in tackling problems of clandestine immigrants, and training to check mutual violation of airspaces.

Talking to the press after meeting Cameroon's Minister of Public Works, Patrice Amba Salla, on August 28, the Equato- Guinean official said, "The two delegations are trying to materialise the political wish of the two Heads of State who want the strengthening of cooperation ties between both countries." The eighth session of the Joint Commission, he said, was the continuation of meetings in view of fostering relations. Before coming to the Ministry of Public Works, the Equatorial Guinea's delegation had been to the Ministry of Higher Education and Public Health. They were also programmed to meet the Ministers of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, as well as Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicraft.