President Museveni has expressed interest to have a dialogue with member countries of the European Union (EU) to streamline the bilateral relations that should be the basis of partnership and mutual interest, not master-puppet relations.
He was receiving credentials from seven envoys newly accredited to Uganda from the Republic of South Sudan, France, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Equatorial Guinea and the Saharawi Republic at State House, Entebbe.
H.E. Juach Deng of the Republic of South Sudan and President Museveni discussed matters of mutual interest between the two countries.
The new envoy conveyed greetings from President Salva Kiir to President Museveni and the people of Uganda.
He pledged to further strengthen the existing strong relationship between the two countries.
H.E. Xavier Sticker, a career diplomat who has served his country, France in various capacities internationally, assured President Museveni that he will, during his tour of duty, strive to strengthen the existing bilateral relationship between the two countries based on partnership and mutual interest.
President Museveni welcomed the new envoy to Uganda and thanked the French Government for training the Mountain Brigade of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
“You added value to our mountain force,” he said.
While welcoming the new Egyptian envoy, H.E Monzer Fathi Abdel Aziz Mohamed Selim, Museveni invited the leadership of Egypt to, at least, visit the source of the Nile River.
“Ever since the days of the Pharaohs, no leader has ever visited the source of the Nile,” he noted.
The new Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E Majid Saffar, conveyed greetings from President Ebrahim Raisi to President Museveni and the people of Uganda, and pledged to strengthen the bilateral Economic, Trade and Social ties with Uganda.
He expressed the need to revive the Joint Economic Commission which President Museveni readily welcomed.
A Ugandan delegation will next month visit Iran to make a follow up.
The new envoy of Turkey, Amb. Mehmet Fatih AK, while presenting his letters of credence to President Museveni expressed his country’s gratitude for the support extended to the people of Turkey following the two disastrous earthquakes that hit the country a week ago.
President Museveni, once again, extended his heartfelt condolences to the President of Turkey, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the people of Turkey upon the great tragedy caused by the earthquakes.
“I am very sorry about the earthquakes. It’s terrible. Convey my sympathy to the President. I wrote to him. I am really very sorry,” he said.
“Uganda is our trustworthy friend and reliable partner. My main task is to strengthen this relationship with our Ugandan counterparts. I wish the people of Uganda prosperity,” he said.
The envoys expressed appreciation for the warm welcome to Uganda and said that they felt at home.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Henry Oryem and the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Hon. John Mulimba.
Others included the Chief of Protocol, Amb. Charles Ssentongo and other senior government officials.
