Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Mr. Tomáš DUB, paid a visit to Gabon from 23rd September to 25th September 2012. Gabon was the third and final stop on his African journey after visiting Senegal and Ethiopia.

The visit is considered to be the highest official visit of a representative of the Czech government since the establishment of the Czech Republic in 1993.

The official meeting with Mr. Dominique Guy Noël Nguieno, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Francophonie, NEPAD and Regional Integration of the Gabonese Republic, took place on 24th October. Tomáš DUB later discussed with the Minister for Oil, Energy and Hydraulic resources, Mr. Etienne Ngoubou, with the Minister of Defence, Mr. Pacome Ruffin Ondzoungou, with the Deputy Minister to the Minister of Health, Mrs Alice Nembe Bikissa and with Mrs. Nina Abouna, the head of APEX (Agency for Promotion of Exportations). Mr. Tomáš DUB paid as well a courtesy call to the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Raymond Ndong Sima.

Gabon, as a stable country, is considered to be a priority of the Czech foreign policy in the region of Central Africa. Gabon has a clear policy focused on development of the country („Gabon émergant“) and on diversification of its economy. The bilateral relations has not a long history but in recent times we noted an interest on both sites to develop mutual cooperation. The evidence of this is the visit of two ministerial delegations in Prague in May 2012.

Tomáš DUB expressed the readiness of the Czech government to strengten the further development of the mutual benefit business-to-business relations. For the time being, the interest of Czech companies in Gabon is focused on health sector. The Czech Republic is ready to cooperate in the field of education and training of the sanitarists in Gabon.

Tomáš DUB handed over a gift to the representative of the Gabonese government – a set of surgical instruments destined for the hospital in Libreville. The purchase of the surgical instruments was financed through the Czech Development Cooperation (the total value was 4600 Euro).

Find attached the press coverage of the visit of the Czech delegation in specialised hospital in Nkembo.