Namibia and North Korea ‘to strengthen supreme ties’

NAMIBIA and North Korea want to “re-energise” their ties and strengthen bilateral co-operation on trade, commerce, transport, energy and defence.

“The Namibian side wishes to specifically explore further co-operation in the areas of trade and commerce, transport and communication, defence, agriculture and energy,” President Hifikepunye Pohamba told the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Yong-Nam, at State House in Windhoek on Thursday night. Yong-Nam was on a four-day official visit to Namibia and left on Sunday.”We also wish to co-operate with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the important areas such as health care, education and environmental issues,” Pohamba added, “as we pursue stronger bilateral co-operation, the agreement on economic, scientific and technical co-operation that was signed by our two countries in 1993, provides us with a solid framework to achieve our common goals for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples.”Pohamba further told Yong-Nam and his 23-member delegation at State House: “Your visit will serve to re-energise bilateral co-operation between our two countries and increased co-operation.”In his response, Yong-Nam noted that he had visited Namibia 18 years ago in his capacity as foreign minister, when the country obtained its independence from South Africa on March 21 1990.”I propose that we will from now on hold regular high-level political talks and expand bilateral co-operation on the economy and culture to the same level,” Yong-Nam told Pohamba through an interpreter.”I hope that the agreement on the reciprocal protection of investments will be concluded soon.”He further said that African countries had to stay vigilant against the effects of globalisation.”They must be able to cope with the big powers that scramble for Africa’s natural resources.Globalisation widens the gap between the developed rich (nations) and the underdeveloped poor.The rich nations plunder the poor (nations) in a disguised way.”Briefing Pohamba on his country’s relations with South Korea, Yong-Nam said: “We are ready to implement the declaration of October 2004.The door is wide open for future dialogue.”Yong-Nam and Pohamba witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on diplomatic consultations between both foreign ministries and an agreement on health and traditional medicines.The two agreements will allow Namibia and North Korea to exchange medical experts, share information on health care, science and technology and to facilitate regular exchange on bilateral and multilateral topics.In a joint communiqué issued on Sunday, both parties expressed their satisfaction “with the result of the official goodwill visit to Namibia and express conviction that the visit would mark an important milestone in deepening the feelings of friendship between the two peoples and giving a fresh impetus to the bilateral relations”.During his visit, Yong-Nam attended the Independence celebrations on Friday, which coincided with the inauguration of the new State House, which was built by North Koreans.North Korea was a staunch supporter of the Swapo Party during Namibia’s liberation struggle.On Saturday, Yong-Nam laid a wreath at Heroes’ Acre and paid a courtesy call on former President Sam Nujoma.Yong-Nam was on a four-day official visit to Namibia and left on Sunday.”We also wish to co-operate with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the important areas such as health care, education and environmental issues,” Pohamba added, “as we pursue stronger bilateral co-operation, the agreement on economic, scientific and technical co-operation that was signed by our two countries in 1993, provides us with a solid framework to achieve our common goals for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples.”Pohamba further told Yong-Nam and his 23-member delegation at State House: “Your visit will serve to re-energise bilateral co-operation between our two countries and increased co-operation.”In his response, Yong-Nam noted that he had visited Namibia 18 years ago in his capacity as foreign minister, when the country obtained its independence from South Africa on March 21 1990.”I propose that we will from now on hold regular high-level political talks and expand bilateral co-operation on the economy and culture to the same level,” Yong-Nam told Pohamba through an interpreter.”I hope that the agreement on the reciprocal protection of investments will be concluded soon.”He further said that African countries had to stay vigilant against the effects of globalisation.”They must be able to cope with the big powers that scramble for Africa’s natural resources.Globalisation widens the gap between the developed rich (nations) and the underdeveloped poor.The rich nations plunder the poor (nations) in a disguised way.”Briefing Pohamba on his country’s relations with South Korea, Yong-Nam said: “We are ready to implement the declaration of October 2004.The door is wide open for future dialogue.”Yong-Nam and Pohamba witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on diplomatic consultations between both foreign ministries and an agreement on health and traditional medicines.The two agreements will allow Namibia and North Korea to exchange medical experts, share information on health care, science and technology and to facilitate regular exchange on bilateral and multilateral topics.In a joint communiqué issued on Sunday, both parties expressed their satisfaction “with the result of the official goodwill visit to Namibia and express conviction that the visit would mark an important milestone in deepening the feelings of friendship between the two peoples and giving a fresh impetus to the bilateral relations”.During his visit, Yong-Nam attended the Independence celebrations on Friday, which coincided with the inauguration of the new State House, which was built by North Koreans.North Korea was a staunch supporter of the Swapo Party during Namibia’s liberation struggle.On Saturday, Yong-Nam laid a wreath at Heroes’ Acre and paid a courtesy call on former President Sam Nujoma.