Togo/The President of the National Assembly spoke with André Reichardt, President of the France-West Africa Friendship Group

A delegation of the France-West Africa Friendship Group, led by its chairman, Mr. André Reichardt, had a meeting on Friday 24 September with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mrs. Yawa Djigbodi Tségan. The strengthening of friendship between the French and Togolese peoples, the health and security situation in Togo and cultural relations between the two countries were the main points on the agenda of the discussions. This audience was followed by a working session between the delegation and the Togo-France friendship group of the National Assembly. The same subjects were discussed during the meeting.

At the end of this audience with Mrs. Yawa Tségan, the President of the France-West Africa Friendship Group of the Senate, Mr. André Reichardt, said he had indicated to the President of the National Assembly the need for this friendship to be concretized through concrete actions, beneficial to both parties. André Reichardt, told the President of the National Assembly of the need for this friendship to be concretized by concrete actions, beneficial to both parties. "We have expressed our desire to have decentralized cooperation actions in the future with the 117 recently elected municipalities," he said. He specified that this decentralized cooperation can be concretized by twinning, partnerships or simply concrete actions. "We have expressed the wish that these communes can enter into stronger relations with the departments, local authorities, civil society actors back home, that this can work naturally in a win-win spirit. Of course, we could not disregard the great orientation that we consider as fundamental undertaken at present in terms of decentralization at the initiative of the President of the Togolese Republic. Decentralisation has been achieved through the election of communes, but also through the regional elections to come". According to Mr. Reichardt, this decentralization should be used to strengthen relations between the Togolese and French parliaments. "We are ready to accompany this movement," he promised.

Reichardt added that he also discussed with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, other equally important issues such as health and security of the country. In his opinion, there can be no economic and social development, no greater international investments, if the security situation is not assured. "We hope that the situation will remain as it is at present in the country and that it will not unfortunately deteriorate as in some neighbouring countries. For us, the security aspect is fundamental. It is the sine qua non condition for other developments," said the president of the France West Africa Friendship Group. The last topic of discussion with Mrs. Tségan was related to cultural relations which are already working well between France and Togo, but which, according to Mr. Reichardt, could be further developed. Because "it is through culture that we learn to know each other, to work together and to share common actions", he noted.

The delegation was pleased to have been received by Mrs. Tségan and welcomed the strong signal that Togo had given on the place of women in political responsibilities by appointing a woman to head the parliament.

A working session then brought together the members of this delegation and those of the Togo-France friendship group headed by the Honorable Essozimna Legzim-Balouki. The work addressed the same topics of discussion. To this end, the French delegation promised to help Togo in the training of military cadres and officers, etc. as their country is already doing. "Know that as a senate, we will be attentive during the vote on the budget to ensure that efforts are made and that we continue to help your country in this regard," added Mr. André Reichardt.

It should be noted that the Togo-France friendship group of the National Assembly has 27 members.

Source: togopresse.tg