Tuesday 16 December 2008

By ASSAH MWAMBENE

THE Minister for Foreign Affairs and international Co-operation, Mr. Bernard Kamillius Membe (MP) has called for enhanced bilateral ties between Tanzania and Australia at the level of people to people saying any meaningful ties must trascends to people.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the first International Youth Conference for Australia-Tanzania young Ambassadors in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Minister said communities between the two countries were key to the improved relations.

“Bilateral relations must not only exist between the Heads of State to heads of State, Ministers to Ministers but rather transcends to people themselves, students to students and community to community countries” he said.

He said he was also glad to note that the bilateral relations between the two countries were the relations of equals as opposed to the past when the financier or donor had to dictate the internal affairs of the receiving state.

He showered praise to the education initiatives that brought in the first International Youth Conference for Australia-Tanzania young Ambassadors in the country, saying that was a health initiative for students to learn from each other.

The Minister called on the young Ambassadors from Australia to visit as many tourism and historical sites including Ngorogoro crater, which he said is a cradle of mankind and learn more about Tanzania history.

The Minister also praised the Australian government for the financial and technical assistance in the education sector and noted with appreciation a number of the scholarships provided to Tanzanian students to study in Australia .

The opening ceremony was attended also by the Australian High Commissioner to Tanzania but based in Nairobi , Madam Lisa Filipetto.

The 1st International Youth Conference for Australia-Tanzania young Ambassadors has been organized by the Australia-Tanzania Society to provide an opportunity for young student to learn from each others.

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