Minister Membe hosts EU-Tanzania Political Dialogue

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in brief talks with H.E. Filiberto Cerian Sebregondi, Ambassador and Head of European Union Delegation in Tanzania.  Hon. Membe hosted the political dialogue the European Union delegation in Tanzania that was held today at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.

Hon. Membe (right) opens a political dialogue meeting between Tanzania-European Union.  Left is H.E. Filiberto Cerian Sebregondi, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation in Tanzania during the Tanzania-EU political dialogue held earlier today in Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.

A Political Dialogue between Tanzania-EU in session at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam. 

H.E. Mrs. Diane Corner, the British High Commissioner to the United Republic of Tanzania gives her comments on recent events of religious demonstrations in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.  Left is H.E. Johnny Flento, Ambassador of Denmark to the United Republic of Tanzania.

Some of the delegates from both Tanzania and EU during the political dialogue.

Other Tanzania delegates that included Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Delegation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

A group photo of Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (2nd right- front), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation together with H.E. Filiberto Cerian Sebregondi (3rd left-front), Ambassador and Head of European Union and EU Ambassadors to Tanzania.   

Hon. Membe thanks H.E. Ambassador Segregondi for his cooperation during the political dialogue which he hosted earlier today at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.

By TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) today met with the European Union Delegation in Tanzania led by H.E. Ambassador Filiberto Cerian Sebregondi in an annual political dialogue at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.

The meeting derived from an agreement between Tanzania and European Union, known as Cotonou Agreement.  In that Agreement both parties agreed to conduct a political dialogue by exchanging information, assess areas of concerns such as human rights, democratic principles, rule of law, good governance and formulate cooperative strategies to promote peace and democratic stability.

During their meeting, Ambassador Sebregondi raised concerns of recent events that took place in respect to religious demonstration both in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, which some of them led to attacks on churches in Zanzibar by group called “UAMSHO”.  Also, the EU wanted to discuss issue of freedom of press and its infringement such as the killing of one reporter named Mr. David Mwangosi in Iringa and the ongoing constitutional review process.

In furtherance, the European Union delegation also wanted a dialogue on the update in respect to the situation in Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo, the presidential election in Zimbabwe, the crisis in Madagascar, the piracy incidents and the border dispute between Malawi  and Tanzania.   

In his response, the Minister shared the Government views and stand on the religious demonstration that took place in Mainland and in Zanzibar.  He said that the Government is in control of the situation and it will not, under no circumstances allow such situation to escalate and cause tension to our peaceful country. 

 “We have managed to have zero tolerance in respect to any religious demonstrations,” said the Minister, adding that all the accused persons involved in burns of churches in Zanzibar “have already been brought before the court of law and the situation is under control.”

In respect to the freedom of press, Hon. Membe the Government does indeed supports the freedom of press so long as it does not infringe the law set forth by the constitution.  In other regard, the Minister appealed to the EU delegation to provide training programs and education for the media personnel.      

On Tanzania and Malawi border issue, the Minister said that the two countries have been in talks amicably and diplomatically, to resolve the matter.  In fact, there is an ongoing three-day meeting on Lake Nyasa border dispute hosted by Tanzania from November 15 through 17, 2012 at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

“The dispute derived from the 1890 Anglo-German Treaty known as ‘The Heligoland Treaty’ and in essence it is a triple-heritage of nature,” said Hon. Membe.  He said that the triple-heritage is a water-body share by Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi and that nobody can claim that the whole Lake belongs to one.  

On his part, the Head of European Union delegation said that they support all the initiatives that both Tanzania and Malawi have taken in making sure that the Lake Nyasa border dispute will be resolved amicably.

In respect to the update on the EU economic and financial crisis, Ambassador Sebregondi said that the crisis does not have significant impact to the developing countries that include Tanzania.  He further said that they have a roadmap proposal in place to explore and address any long-term issues that may arise in respect to the EU single monetary union.