New development minister confirms close co-operation with Burkina Faso

Partnership between Denmark and the African country has lasted for over 30 years

Denmark’s new minister for development co-operation, Ulla Tørnæs, met yesterday with Burkina Faso’s finance minister, Rosine Coualibaly, to confirm the special partnership between the two countries, which has lasted for over 30 years.

It was Tørnæs’s first official visit to a foreign country since she was appointed on Monday.

READ MORE: Denmark concerned about Burkina Faso developments

Role model for Sahel region
“Despite continuous challenges, Burkina Faso has undergone a positive development towards stronger democracy since the popular uprising in October 2014,” stated Tørnæs.

“It underscores the robustness of the Burkinabe civil society and the importance of Burkina Faso as a role model for the whole region and the African continent.”

The Danish minister has also confirmed that Denmark will continue its close partnership with the west African country to ensure that the Burkinabe population experience improvements in their daily lives.

READ MORE: Foreign Ministry and Royals team up in Burkina Faso

More money for improved stability
In April, the two countries signed a new agreement for development co-operation and Denmark allocated 770 million kroner over the period 2016-2020 to support Burkina Faso in the areas of human rights and stability, water and sanitation, and economic growth in the agricultural sector.

“Democracy in Burkina Faso is important for stability in the country and the wider Sahel region. And stability in the wider Sahel region is essential for Europe and Denmark,” said Tørnæs.