NAIROBI, Kenya, jun 9 – The country’s international relations must embrace the concept of economic and trade diplomacy and strategic alliances with global economic blocs, President Mwai Kibaki has said.
President Kibaki affirmed that Kenya must align itself with economic blocs of strategic importance and forge deep ties with strong economic powers internationally.
The President made the remarks today at his Harambee House office when he held discussions with Kenya’s honorary consuls accredited to various countries in the world.
The Head of State pointed out that the current global economic, cultural and communities integration had led to a growing need for broad consular representation of the country to spur close interaction with other countries.
President Kibaki further affirmed that such close interactions would ensure sustained contact with the diaspora and uphold a positive image of Kenya.
The meeting intended to act as a launching pad for the new strategy adopted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of increasing its consular representation as well as reduce its operational costs and restructure Kenya’s mission abroad.
Honorary consuls serving the country’s interest abroad were apprised of Kenya’s foreign policy objectives and priorities as well as their role in actualizing them.
The consuls got the opportunity to gain better understanding of the current state of the country’s development, its national vision as well as how it intends to transform itself to achieve outlined goals and objectives.
The consuls are supposed to devise strategies to enhance closer cooperation between Kenya and their respective areas of jurisdiction, especially areas that the country has minimal or no representation.
Fourteen honorary consuls have been appointed to represent Kenya’s interests in Morocco, Canada, Germany, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Bangladesh, India, Jordan, Australia, Singapore and Italy.
In attendance were Minister for Foreign Affairs Moses Wetangula and Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura among other senior government officials.
