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(NYASATIMES) Malawi, Scotland extend links

Malawi, Scotland extend links
By Nyasa Times
Published: February 16, 2010

Malawi and Scotland has special relationship, Scotland’s External Affairs Minister, Fiona Hyslop, said on her official visit in the southern African country. “Scotland has a distinct and special relationship with Malawi. In fact Malawi is at the heart of Scottish civic society,” she said.

“The number of institutional, community, church and school links continue to grow. We are committed to building on what has already been achieved, further strengthening the Scottish Government’s engagement with Malawi.”

The Minister said she had productive meetings with my Ministerial counterparts in the Government of Malawi, who lead on the various strands of Malawi-Scotland Co-operation Agreement.

“We discussed progress on current commitments and have begun to explore future priorities. By working together we will ensure that these priorities meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in Malawi, to achieve real and sustainable outcomes.”

The Minister undertook a series of meetings with Ministerial counterparts in Malawi on Tuesday, including Professor Eta E. Banda MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Abbie Marambika Shaba MP, Minister of Development Planning and Co-operation Moses Charuwananga Chirambo MP, Minister of Health; and George Chaponda MP, Minister for Science, Education and Technology.

Hyslop also took the opportunity to welcome the Malawian President’s appointment as Chair of the African Union:

“I welcome the appointment of His Excellency Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika as Chair of the African Union. This is an important role which places Malawi, the warm heart of Africa, at the heart of the decision making process in the continent,” she said

The Scottish Government has ring-fenced a minimum of £3 million per annum from the International Development Fund for the Malawi development programme.

Meanwhile, the first steps are being taken to set up a twinning arrangement between Members of the Scottish Parliament and parliamentarians in Malawi.

Two MSPs, Karen Gillon and Michael Matheson are in Malawi in the latest stage of cooperation between the two bodies to share ideas and ways of working.

The latest initiative is designed to strengthen the links and create a model for twinning parliamentarians that could be adopted by other Commonwealth legislatures.

The Scottish scheme would involve nine members, three from each of the regions in Malawi from across the political parties.

The programme has been organised by the Scotland Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which is meeting the costs of the MSPs’ trip.

As well as securing the twinning programme they will meet Malawian MPs to discuss the changing role of Parliamentarians, cross-party groups, greater understanding of constituency working and the effective use of media relations.

Labels: FIONA HYSLOP, SCOTLAND

posted by MrK @ 6:44 PM