The 3rd session of the Namibia-Tanzania Joint Commission on Cooperation will focus on strengthening existing bilateral cooperation with an emphasis on socio-economic matters and the effective implementation of memoranda of understanding.
The session will also deliberate on pertinent issues regarding transport, agriculture, defense and security, trade and investment, education, and health.
MIRCO's Executive Director, Penda Naanda, reiterated the need to strengthen trade and investment between Namibia and Tanzania to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Naanda, however, noted an urgent need to find a lasting solution to the political instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, and Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Province.
Namibia also pledged support to Tanzania in its effort to achieve regional peace through the recently launched SADC Regional Counter-Terrorism Center.
"We can also not achieve development in our regions if sanctions continue to be imposed in Zimbabwe. The sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe are affecting our development efforts as a region and should be lifted with immediate effect, just like the sanctions imposed on Venezuela and the economic embargo imposed on the people of Cuba. We also remain worried at the non-implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions and AU decisions on Western Sahara and Palestine."
Tanzania's Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Fatima Rajab, advised officials to deliberate on diplomatic, political, defense, and security issues, fisheries and marine resources, tourism, mining, water, and rural development.
She also announced Tanzania's move to sign a bilateral aviation safety agreement that will allow for direct flights between the two countries.
"The launch of new flight routes for both countries will undoubtedly open up more opportunities and promote socio-economic activities in the best interest of our countries and their people. We have also submitted four sectoral memorandums of understanding that we are ready to sign in the best interests of our countries and people."
The Namibia-Tanzania Joint Commission of Cooperation ends on Friday.