Namibia and Portugal renews relations
The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia, had it’s third round of political and diplomatic consultations between the Republic of Namibia and the Republic of Portugal on 14 November. The two countries renewed their Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), which expired in 2015 and cemented several other agreements.
The two agreements includes the MoU on Portuguese language courses to be offered to Namibian Police officers and the introduction of Portuguese as a foreign language in the Namibian education system. In a joint statement to the press Hon Teresa Rebeiro, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Corporation of Portugal welcomed the admission of Namibia as an Associated Observer of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and said that the promotion, learning and teaching of the Portuguese language will improve.
Hon. Maureen Hinda, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia stated that the teaching of Portuguese is a necessity to Namibia in terms of communication as the nation is home to Portuguese-speakers. With regard to police training, Hinda explained that it is vital that the Namibian Police Force is able to effectively communicate in a language mostly understood by its co-operating countries, particularly in reducing crime.
Hinda stated that, they are other pending agreements being negotiated between the two countries that are expected to be signed in due course, including the agreement on Air Namibia transport between the two countries, a cooperation agreement in the field of internal security; a protocol between the Portuguese Ministry of Home Affairs and the Namibia Ministry of Safety and Security on police training as well as an agreement on employment of family members of diplomatic and consular personnel between Namibia and Portugal.
Recalling the entering into force of the Revised Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the two Deputy Ministers encouraged business people from both countries to make full use of the enabling environment created by the EPA, in order to increase trade between the two countries.
