Less than a week after the accreditation of its permanent chargé d’affaires, on Monday, the Belgian diplomatic mission in Niamey unveiled its brand new coat of arms at its diplomatic mission, a sign of the improved relations and cooperation between Niamey and Brussels. According to the new chargé d’affaires, Pierre Charlier, the unveiling of the coat of arms and new door plaques, which follows the presentation of his credentials to the Niger authorities, upgrades the Belgian representation to the level of an embassy, and is evidence of Belgium’s interest in Niger. Development cooperation between Belgium and Niger has in the past covered many important development areas, “but recent developments are moving towards a tighter focus on fewer sectors in order to ensure that resources are not dispersed and to increase the effectiveness of cooperation”, said the outgoing Belgian ambassador to Niger, with residence in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Lieven De La Marche, who was present at the ceremony. This change, he added, “symbolises my country’s explicit desire to affirm its interest in the Republic of Niger, which is taking place in a context of renewed interest for the West African region and particularly the Sahel.” Pierre Charlier is the head of the Belgian diplomatic mission in Niger and fully represents his country in all activities, says a briefing note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Niger. This ceremony marks the official return of the Belgian diplomatic mission to Niger, after thirty years.
Source: xinhuanet
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