Embassy of India

ABIDJAN - COTE D'IVOIRE

JOINT STATEMENT

THE VISIT OF H.E. MR. YOUSSOUF BAKAYOKO, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF REPUBLIC OF COTE D’IVOIRE FOR THE SECOND MEETING OF INDO-IVORIAN JTC – AUGUST 1-7, 2006

1.           As part of the efforts at strengthening bilateral cooperation between Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and India, H.E. Mr. Youssouf Bakayoko, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Cote d’Ivoire led a 110 member Ivorian delegation to India for the Second Meeting of the Indo-Ivorian Joint Trade Commission.  Ivorian delegation among others included Mr. Monnet Leon Emmanueal, Minister of Mines and Energy, Mr. Andoh Jacques, Minister of Environment, Water and Forest and Mr.Vincent Gadou Kragbe, Special Advisor to the President.  Both sides expressed satisfaction at holding of the Second Meeting of the Indo-Ivorian JTC after a gap of nine years.

2.           During the visit, H.E. Mr. Bakayoko called on Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Shri Anand Sharma.  Discussions were held on various regional, bilateral and international issues of mutual interest.  Both the Ministers exchanged views on how to strengthen bilateral, political, trade, economic and cultural relations between the two countries in an institutional manner in future.

3.            Both sides recognized the potential for enhanced cooperation between the two countries for trade, economic cooperation, investment, joint venture conveying the targeted areas of urban transportation, mining, energy, petroleum and petrochemicals, railways, environment and forestry.  Ivorian side acknowledged India’s continued support to various projects under Team-9 Initiative, ITEC/SCAAP Programme as well as importance of Indian private sector initiatives, which is growing.  The Indian side underlined its commitment to South-South Cooperation and assured Cote d’Ivoire that it will extend all possible support to the project of Mahatma Gandhi Village of Information Technologies and Biotechnology.

4.            The two sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India.

5.           Their excellencies reiterated their support to the need to reform the UN, particularly the expansion of the UNSC.  For providing a constructive voice to the aspirations of the developing world, they stressed, there was a need for expanding UNSC for creating an equitable balance.  Given the fact that India is the largest democracy in the world and in view of its past contributions to the promotion of International peace and security, Republic of Cote d’Ivoire reiterated its support to India’s candidature to the permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

6.           On behalf of the Ivorian delegation, H.E. Mr. Bakayoko expressed sincere thanks to the Government of India for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

Done at New Delhi, the 4th of August 2006.