6th annual U.S.-Djibouti Bi-National Forum
Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Molly Phee and Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf concluded the 6th annual U.S.-Djibouti Bi-National Forum today. In these high-level discussions launched by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on February 4, Assistant Secretary Phee and Foreign Minister Youssouf reviewed the longstanding bilateral partnership between the United States and Djibouti and the broad range of security, economic, and development cooperation that encompasses the U.S.-Djibouti bilateral relationship. They also discussed areas of collaboration to further regional peace, stability, and prosperity in the Horn of Africa.
The Minister H.E Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasize also those points :
It is my privilege and honor to be co-chairing with you this important 6th Bi-National Forum aimed at reviewing many critical areas of the bilateral relation. And I hasten to thank our experts from both sides for the amount of work done in laying the groundwork for a successful meeting.
We will meaningfully engage on all issues on our agenda today with the firm intention to identify concrete ways to advance our bilateral relations.
Djibouti is seeking to strengthen the political and economic relations with the U.S. and hoping to benefit from the Prosper African initiative that aims at increasing trade between African nations and the U.S. Djibouti has just launched its initial Development Plan for the period of 2020-2024. It is a very ambitious but achievable plan, which is based on the three strategic areas: - Inclusion, Connectivity & Transformation. The Covid 19 crisis has of course negatively impacted progress made on the economic front, but we are confident that with resolve, determination, and the crucial support by partner countries, particularly the U.S., we will be able to build back better.
To read the full piece from U.S. Department of State, click here.