Working visit of Jean Asselborn to Cabo Verde

The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, travelled to Cabo Verde for a two-day working visit. On the first day of the working visit, Minister Asselborn was received for an in-depth exchange by his counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration, Rui Figueiredo Soares, and also had meetings with the Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, as well as the President of the Republic, José Maria Pereira Neves.

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    (from l. to r.) Thomas Barbancey, Chargé d'Affaires, Luxembourg Embassy in Cabo Verde; Véronique Dockendorf, Director of Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs; Martine Schommer, Luxembourg Ambassador to Cabo Verde; Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; José Maria Pereira Neves, President of Cabo Verde

    (from l. to r.) Thomas Barbancey, Chargé d'Affaires, Luxembourg Embassy in Cabo Verde; Véronique Dockendorf, Director of Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs; Martine Schommer, Luxembourg Ambassador to Cabo Verde; Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; José Maria Pereira Neves, President of Cabo Verde

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    (from l. to r.) Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; Rui Figueiredo Soares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration of Cabo Verde

    (from l. to r.) Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; Rui Figueiredo Soares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration of Cabo Verde

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    (from l. to r.) Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; Ulisses Correia e Silva, Prime Minister of Cabo Verde

    (from l. to r.) Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; Ulisses Correia e Silva, Prime Minister of Cabo Verde

These various meetings provided an opportunity to take stock of bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Cabo Verde. Cooperation within multilateral forums, the international situation and the latest developments in the Sahel and within ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) were also discussed.

Minister Asselborn began by highlighting the important contribution made by the Cape Verdean community to the social, cultural and economic development of Luxembourg. The Minister then welcomed the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields including development cooperation, defence, environment and energy.

"Our relationship was built on development cooperation but has diversified over the years. It now covers a wide range of areas, from diplomacy to the economic and financial sectors, from culture to the joint fight against climate change, including defence. We also cooperate on many issues at the United Nations, including the defence of human rights," said Minister Asselborn, recalling that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the Luxembourg Embassy in Cabo Verde and the 30th anniversary of Cabo Verde's nomination as Luxembourg's partner country.

The meetings also allowed Minister Asselborn and his Cape Verdean counterparts to reaffirm the strong commitment of Luxembourg and Cabo Verde to the common values that unite us, such as respect for human rights and democracy, good governance, the rule of law and multilateralism. Both sides condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine and reiterated their support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Minister Asselborn will continue his working visit to Praia by presiding over the 12th political dialogue meeting at ministerial level of the Special Partnership Cabo Verde - European Union, in representation of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

Press release by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

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