His Majesty King Letsie III has on Thursday accepted letters of credence from Finland Ambassador to Lesotho, Mr. Kari Alanko and Netherlands Ambassador, Mr. JPM Han Peters at the event held at the Royal Palace in Maseru.
When accepting letters of credence from Mr. Alanko, His Majesty said there is need for Finland and Lesotho to work hand in hand to tackle the threat that climate change poses to the health and stability of the global environment, as well as the threat it poses to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He expressed gratitude to the government of Finland for financing a regional meteorological programme from which Lesotho benefits immensely.
His Majesty said Finland has been a reliable partner for Lesotho in different spheres of development, mentioning human capacity building in the field of forestry management, renewable energy, water management and health as some of them.
He assured Mr. Alanko of the government and Basotho’s support as well as assistance during his tenure of office so that he could execute his duties successfully.
Presenting his letters of credence, Mr. Alanko pledged to work hard so to promote the existing relations between the two countries and their people during his tenure of office.
He also pledged Finland’s support to the country during its reform process.
On the other hand, when accepting the letters of credence from Mr. Peters, His Majesty said the assistance from Netherlands has enabled the country to make visible strides in its developmental agenda, particularly in the construction of a multi-purpose hall at the National University Lesotho , housing for staff members and for the handicapped at the Leribe Craft Vocational Centre as well as the construction of clinics at Dili-dili in Quthing among others.
He expressed hope that during his tenure as the Ambassador, the existing relations between the two countries will grow from strength to strength and explore new areas of bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of their people.
Presenting his letters of credence, Mr. Peters said both countries share common values and principles in constitutional monarchy, modest in size although different in demography as well as in water resources among others.
He also assured the country of Netherlands support in addressing a challenge of HIV in the country.
Both Ambassadors paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister after the presentation ceremony.
Source: LENA 14/02/2019