Dr. Thembinkosi Mhlongo, Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration for the SADC, met virtually with His Excellency Mr. Omar Berroteran Paredes, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Namibia, on 15th September, 2022. The meeting was intended to promote diplomatic ties and common interests between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The Ambassador stated that this was an excellent opportunity for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the SADC region to foster mutual relations and collaboration in cultural and social exchanges, education and disaster risk management, social development skills, trade cooperation, and expansion of the tourism sector.
He cited the ongoing engagements between the SADC and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Latin America (ALBA), in which the parties are currently working to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), as a positive development and representation of shared interests that will open up a number of opportunities. The goal of the MOU is to improve bilateral ties through a variety of measures of cooperation and engagement.
Dr. Mhlongo acknowledged the Ambassador's courteous call and thanked him for his commitment to working with the region as well as the cordial interactions that the SADC region has had with the government of Venezuela over the years. In addition, he commended the formation of the MoU between SADC and ALBA and urged the parties to expedite the development of the MoU's framework and road map.
Ambassador Paredes highlighted several potential opportunities to explore in Latin America, including cooperation in oil reserves, energy sector and other myriad prospects which will expand and solidify collaboration.
The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of our America (ALBA) is formed of ten (10) countries and is defined as an integration platform with the primary purpose of promoting complete development for Latin America and the Caribbean through an integration process. ALBA group consist of the following countries; Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Nicargua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Venezuela.
(Photo; His Excellency Mr. Omar Berroteran Paredes, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Namibia)
