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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 7

Written Answers. - Relations with Namibia.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

100 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of official relations between this country and Namibia including all known trade and cultural links. [11213/98]

Ireland established diplomatic relations with Namibia in 1994. These relations are conducted by Namibia through its embassy in London and by Ireland through our Ambassador in Pretoria.

The establishment of diplomatic relations reflects the very warm bilateral relations between the two countries stemming from Ireland's support for the process of transition in Namibia which became independent on 21 March 1990. By way of supporting a peaceful transition, Ireland contributed 50 Garda officers as well as 20 military observers to the United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG). The former Minister for Foreign Affairs, the late Mr. Seán Mac-Bride, to whose memory a street is dedicated in the capital, Windhoek, was UN Commissioner for Namibia during the negotiation of independence.
Irish exports to Namibia were worth £147,800 in 1997. Imports from Namibia came to a total of £62,700. The principal Irish export is milk powder and the main import is fertiliser. An Irish company, Rural Development International, is involved in an agricultural policy planning project in Namibia.
The Minister of Trade and Industry of Namibia, Mr. Hidipo Hamutenya, visited Ireland in June 1995. He visited Shannon Free Zone and also met with the Minister for Enterprise and Employment.
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