It is a great pleasure to be today in Gabon, in Libreville. It is my second trip here but our third meeting with Michael, and I have to say, our frequent meetings demonstrate the importance that both countries attach to the implementation of the Memorandum on Political Consultations that was signed between our countries in November 2021. And of course, our strong political will to move our relations further.
During our meeting in Athens last July, we signed Memoranda on environment and tourism. I am very happy that today we signed three more MoUs on military training, on culture and on sports. And this is another step to enhance our bilateral relations.
Gabon, as I said, is a member of the United Nations Security Council. This gives us another opportunity to work closer together to address global issues and global challenges. Preserving and restoring peace, fighting poverty, tackling climate change.
In this regard, I would like to highlight in particular the major effort that Gabon is making. Gabon’s policies to protect forests, to achieve sustainable development and its long-standing commitment to preserve the natural environment are truly commendable and an example. I sincerely believe that Gabon could preserve them with solutions on a number of problems we are facing in addressing climate change. I sincerely believe that other countries, not only in Africa, but also throughout the world can follow and assist the international effort to deal with climate change. A phenomenon that has no borders, a global challenge that, if not addressed, will have catastrophic consequences for the planet. My visit here has also been enlightening in this respect. And I was informed in detail by the Gabonese Minister of Environment, Lee White, on the environmental challenges from the African perspective. I can only say that we can do more together to address climate change.
And also, we had the opportunity to discuss issues of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. This will be important as we warmly welcome the participation of Gabon in the 9th “Our Ocean Conference”, which will be hosted in Greece in 2024. We believe that Gabon should play a very important role in this Conference.
Also, Greece’s foreign policy promotes dialogue, based on the UN Charter and in accordance with International Law and International Law of the Sea. And I have to underline that Gabon, like Greece, is a country that has subscribed to the UNCLOS, the UN Convention on International Law of the Sea. And as I have pointed out during our meeting in Athens, Gabon is an example of referring the issue of maritime delimitation with Equatorial Guinea to the International Court of Justice. This is of great value as an example.
Unfortunately, this period, tragic events are unfolding in Europe. Expansionist powers are trying to implement revisionist ideas. The world has to stand together against unlawful past-century practices, whether they take place in Ukraine or anywhere else.
Also, we discussed today how we can expand bilateral trade and our economic relations. We are ready to transfer know-how as well as to invest and contribute to the economy of Gabon in various fields, such as energy, agriculture, food, construction, tourism. Greece, we believe, can assist this beautiful country in those sectors.
Also, I would like to thank Michael and the President of Gabon for supporting Greece’s bid for the election to the Security Council as a non-permanent member for the period 2025-2026. I would, also, like to say that we supported the election of Gabon to the Security Council for the period 2022-2023. And we are very happy that Gabon is a member of the United Nations’ Security Council. Another field that we can work together is La Francophonie.
As a European Union member, also, we could work together with Gabon in the field of migration. The migration phenomenon is not only confined in the Mediterranean, it exists also in Africa, and a large part of the migrants coming to Europe come from Africa.
Also, we discussed how we could cooperate on the issues of maritime security. For us, being a maritime power, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is of huge concern. We support various EU projects and initiatives in this region. We would like to have close cooperation with Gabon.
In conclusion, I believe that today’s meeting is another step towards the expansion of our relations and of our friendship.
Dear Michael, Your Excellency, dear Minister,
Thank you for hosting me today, thank you for your great hospitality and thank you for your friendship.