The Tanzania government yesterday
expressed its optimism that Denmark will continue working closely with Tanzania
on development issues.
This comes a day after the Danish
government disclosed that it will close its embassy in Tanzania in 2024.
A statement from the ministry of Foreign
Affairs and East African Cooperation disclosed that the minister, Liberata
Mulamula had expressed concern over the Danish move, especially considering the
government’s efforts to revive and strengthen diplomatic relations with
friendly countries, including Denmark.
Mulamula also said the government’s priority
was to strengthen the business and investment climate in the country as well as
improve democracy and the rule of law.
This followed Thursday’s announcement by
the Danish government of its intention to close its embassy in Dar es Salaam in
2024, citing the adjustment of its international presence as one of the reasons
for this.
The Danish ambassador to Tanzania Mette
Norgaard Dissing-Spandet said on Thursday that “Today has been a tough day.
Denmark has had a special relationship with Tanzania and Tanzanian people for
more than a century. It has been a cooperation in many areas…”
Mulamula said during a video conference
session with Flemming Moller Mortensen, Denmark’s minister for development
co-operation, that Tanzania was saddened by the new twist by Denmark, but
remained optimistic that the two countries will continue working together on
various development issues.
“Despite the steps taken by Denmark, it
is Tanzania’s hope that the Danish government will continue to work with
Tanzania on various development issues including supporting Tanzania’s agenda
in the European Union, the United Nations and other international platforms,”
she said.
On his part, Mortensen said it was not
easy to reach a decision that stemmed from the Danish government’s new
priorities in development cooperation as outlined in its new strategy, “The
World We Share.”
According to Mortensen, the new strategy
calls on Denmark to work more closely with fragile countries in conflict,
displacement and irregular migration, especially in the Sahel, Horn of Africa
and neighbouring countries which have political problems.
Similarly, he said with Tanzania having
reached a milestone in development, Denmark had decided to work closely with
those countries that are most in need.
Tanzania was the first African country
with which Denmark initiated a development assistance partnership back in 1963.
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