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| National |
| Denmark aid still uncertain |
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by
Pilirani Semu-Banda, 28 August 2003
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18:10:10
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New Denmark Ambassador to Malawi Mads Sandau-Jensen, based in Zambia, said Thursday the resumption of aid by his government to this country is still uncertain and that the Danes do not have plans to reopen an embassy in Lilongwe.
Speaking in an interview soon after he presented his letters of credence to President Bakili Muluzi in Blantyre, Sandau-Jensen said he had a long discussion with Muluzi on the issue of aid but that the issue is still under consideration by his government and that he will be back with the issue later.
“We have started a dialogue now so I hope we will have a fruitful cooperation at a later stage,” said Sandau-Jensen.
Denmark cut aid to Malawi towards the end of 2001 citing corruption, interference with judicial independence and political intolerance as reasons for the action.
But former Finance Minister Matthews Chikaonda told a press briefing that Denmark recalled its ambassador at that time Orla Bakdal because he was rude and disrespectful to Muluzi.
And in his written speech to Muluzi, Sandau-Jensen said Denmark realises the vital momentous of dialogue between the two governments and that in this context, he was underlining the importance of the visit of a special envoy from Malawi to his government. He did not specify.
“Only through an open and frank dialogue can a common understanding be created on which a platform for further cooperation can be established. It will be an honour for me to be part of that dialogue,” said Sandau-Jensen.
He said his country was supportive of the fundamental ideas behind the New Partnership For Africa’s Development (Nepad) and that this initiative firmly states that the only way forward and the foundation for any development on the continent must be that the performance of governments is based on the Nepad principles of political and economic good governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights and democratisation.
“Denmark sees Nepad as an initiative taken by African leaders for the African people and has with satisfaction noted that this is not another donor-driven mechanism,” said Sandau-Jensen.
And in his speech to the ambassador, Muluzi said it is the wish of his government to maintain cordial relations with other countries worldwide because this helps not only to foster cooperation among all people but also promotes socioeconomic development.
“In this respect I would like to commend the Danish Government for positively accepting the normalisation of our relations through reestablishing contacts,” said Muluzi.
He said at its peak, Danish aid to Malawi amounted to over 120 million Kroners (K1.8 billion) and that with this Malawi has been able to implement projects in agriculture, environment and fisheries and to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Technical, Entrepreneurship and Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta).
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