EINO VATILENI
European Union (EU) Ambassador to Namibia Ana Beatriz-Martins on Thursday met with the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources Tobie Aupindi to discuss mutually beneficial relationships, especially value addition of Namibia’s rare earth minerals and investments in the fishing sector.
During the meeting, ambassador Martins said the EU and Namibia have a strategic partnership and share a lot of common values.
The ambassador said the EU continues to enjoy good bilateral relations with Namibia, based on shared values and mutual respect.
The ambassador also commended Namibia for its commitment to climate change with the transition to green energy which she said is an important priority for Europe.
Speaking during the same meeting, Aupindi, said cooperation between the two sides will focus on mutually beneficial relations.
“One area is minerals like uranium, diamonds, and rare earths. Cooperation could include sustainable mining, sharing technology, and developing local processing to add value and meet the demand for responsibly sourced materials,” Aupindi said.
He added that president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, attaches great value on ethical leadership, transparency and urgent implementation of programs to accelerate social economic development.
“Namibia attaches great value to the existing cooperation, including the importance of green hydrogen and renewable energy. Namibia has excellent solar and wind resources, which could be used to produce green hydrogen for export with EU support in funding and technology, helping the EU meet its climate goals,”Aupindi said.
Fisheries and marine resources are also important. Namibia and the EU could work together on sustainable fishing, improving processing, and exporting more seafood to EU markets under trade agreements.
Water management is critical because Namibia is very dry. The EU could support projects on desalination, water efficiency, and shared water resources.
Aupindi, further, said that Namibia has an excellent relationship with Germany, and called on the EU to continue supporting both countries to resolve the outstanding issues of the Germany colonial oppression and adventurism in Namibia,.
“Exellency, when I travel around the country, there are still communities suffering for generations, as a direct results of German colonial oppression, and EU as a block, can impress upon its member, Germany to resolve this outstanding historic dark chapter, still tainting an otherwise good bilateral relations between the EU and Namibia,” Aupindi said.
He added that, “Our Committee is mandated to deal with matters relating to Oil, Gas, Mineral, Energy, Agriculture, Water, Forestry, Environment, Tourism, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Wildlife. The Committee is composed of 23 members and is supported by a Secretariat.”
The EU is Namibia’s biggest foreign market outside Africa, and the EU continues to receive high value commodities from Namibia, such as beef, diamonds and charcoal.
Overall, both leaders agree that the EU wants to secure critical minerals, diversify supply chains, and support climate goals, while Namibia wants more investment, local skills, jobs, and opportunities to add value to its natural resources.
Both Aupindi and the Ambassador further agreed that technology transfers for value addition, a good investment climate with a clear legislated framework, skills development are pivotal to, promoting trade and investments.
The Ambassador and the Chairperson, recommitted themselves to ensuring the continuation and urgent implementation of the EPA, for greater economic development of both parties.
EINO VATILENI IS SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
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