Oquaye in Serbia to Strengthen Ties

Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Michael Oquaye is in Serbia on the European country’s invitation.

The visit is at a time when efforts are being made by both countries to strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation.

The Serbian Assembly Speaker, Maja Gojkovic, at a meeting with the Ghanaian Speaker, said the two countries share a long history of friendly relations from the times of former Yugoslavia and the Non-Aligned Movement, adding that the historic friendship and support, oblige the two countries to keep advancing bilateral relations in all areas of common interest.

Speaker Gojkovic said Prof Oquaye’s visit shows that the two countries are ready to develop and enhance their bilateral relations in the future, adding that it also opens a new chapter of inter parliamentary cooperation. “The establishment of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Ghana is a first step in this direction,” he stated.

Speaker Gojkovic confirmed the Serbian Assembly’s readiness to contribute to bilateral cooperation by ratifying any agreements between the two governments.

He said there is ample opportunity for cooperation at the level of parliamentary committees and delegations in international parliamentary organisations. She also indicated that the National Assembly can provide experience-based support in a variety of fields, especially gender equality, to Ghana.

Prof Oquaye said he was thrilled to be visiting Serbia and the National Assembly.

He noted that Ghana follows Serbia’s progress and development with great interest and that a combination of Serbia’s experience and knowledge and Ghana’s rich resources could yield significant results in the interest of both countries.

Prof Oquaye further stated that Ghana is interested in cooperation in the field of medicine as in the past, Ghanaian students used knowledge gained from Serbia to contribute to Ghana’s development.

He also pushed for further cooperation with Serbia in defence, economy, infrastructure, agriculture, science and technology.

Speaker Gojkovic invited Ghana to re-consider its decision to recognise the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija and briefed Prof Oquaye on the course of the talks with Pristina and the state of the endangered Serbian cultural and religious heritage in Kosovo-Mctohija,

Prof Oquaye promised to mention the issue of Kosovo-Metohija to Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister and the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo with the assurance that the matter will be given the needed attention.

Prof Oquaye also met with Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabic on Wednesday, 30 May 2018 where issues of economic and educational sector cooperation between the two countries were extensively discussed.

The Ghanaian Speaker also gave a lecture at the Diplomatic Academy of the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Next year marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Ghana.

Source: ClassFMonline