Luncheon in Honour of Outgoing Head of European Union Delegation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today hosted a luncheon for the outgoing European Union Head of delegation to Kenya H.E Ambassador Stefano Dejak. Ambassador Stefano is leaving the country after a successful tour of duty.
In his remarks during the luncheon, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary. Amb. Macharia Kamau commented Amb. Stefano for the special role he played in building close partnership that exists between Kenya and the European Union. “Kenya and the EU share deep and long history of relations characterized by mutual beneficial cooperation for the past 43 years” said the PS, the partnership cuts across sectors in Infrastructure Development, Energy, Security, Education, HealthCare, Economic and Agriculture.
Ambassador Kamau recalled the challenges experienced in the country during and after the General Elections, and which were well managed with the support of European Union under Amb.Steffanos leadership. He singled out Amb. Stefano’s leadership in which remarkable developments were witnessed, with the opening up of the new EU mission in Nairobi, giving Kenya the honour of hosting the second largest mission in the world after London.
Other significant milestones witnessed during Amb. Stefano’s tenure includes political dialogues held between Cabinet Secretary Amb. Monica Juma and the EU Ambassadors accredited to Kenya, and engagements between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the EU Ambassadors. Other key developments include, Development cooperation agenda which is structured under the Kenya EU Joint Cooperation, and which has been aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030,and the Presidential big 4 agenda. The European Union is Kenya’s second largest Export market, with horticulture products and floriculture sector forming 70% of Kenya’s export to the EU.
In regional Peace and Security, the PS noted with appreciation the support by EU towards financing of AMISOM operations in Somalia, and called on other friendly Nations and International community to support AMISOM to enable the realization of its mandate. He commented individual member countries for the continued support in training and financing Counter- terrorism initiatives in the country, and the EU commitment to support Kenya’s sustainable Blue Economy, through the “GO BLUE” joint initiative.
Ambassador Stefano in his remarks thanked the Kenya Government for the support accorded to him and his delegation during his tour, and said issues of security in the region were close to his heart and that he will continue championing for support in strengthening of security operations in Somalia, including AMISOM to achieve its mandate.
