Visit to Vienna Archives - Republic Congo

Visit at the Consulate of the Republic of the Congo in Austria

Michael — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 18:52:32 +0000

As an important part of the Republic of the Congo’s representation abroad, on 17.03.2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Congo H.E. Jean-Claude Gakosso, together with other members of the delegation, visited the Consulate of the Republic of Congo in Austria, led by Honorary Consul Litschauer Martin.

The Honorary Consul Litschauer Martin welcomed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his delegation at the Consulate of the Republic of Congo in Vienna. He briefed them on the activities and services that the Consulate offers to the Congolese community and citizens in Austria. He also presented some of the projects that he has initiated or supported to promote the image and interests of the Republic of Congo in Austria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked the Honorary Consul for his dedication and efforts to foster a closer relationship between the two countries. He also praised the role that the Congolese diaspora plays in contributing to the development and stability of their homeland.

The visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs was a successful and fruitful one that reaffirmed the friendship and partnership between the Republic of Congo and Austria. It also demonstrated the commitment of both sides to work together for peace, prosperity, and progress in Africa and Europe.

If you want to be part of that partnership and promote goodwill between the two countries, apply to become an honorary consul. You will receive a prompt response from the appropriate authorities.

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Meeting with the Director General of the IAEA

Michael — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 16:24:55 +0000

On March 17, 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Congo, H.E. Jean-Claude Gakosso, met with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), H.E. Rafael Mariano Grossi, in Vienna, Austria. The meeting was part of a bilateral visit by Minister Gakosso to Austria, where he also held talks with his counterpart, H.E. Alexander Schallenberg, and other senior officials.

The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the cooperation between the Republic of the Congo and the IAEA in the fields of nuclear energy, nuclear safety and security, and nuclear applications for development. Minister Gakosso expressed his appreciation for the technical assistance and capacity building provided by the IAEA to his country, especially in areas such as health, agriculture, water management and environmental protection. He also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to adhere to the highest standards of nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards, as well as to support the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Africa and globally.

Director General Grossi welcomed Minister Gakosso’s visit and praised the Republic of the Congo for its active participation in the IAEA’s activities and programmes. He highlighted the potential benefits of nuclear technology for addressing some of the key challenges faced by the country, such as improving access to electricity, enhancing food security and combating diseases. He also assured Minister Gakosso of the IAEA’s continued support and collaboration in implementing various projects and initiatives under the framework of the Country Programme Framework (CPF) for 2019-2024.

The two officials also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, such as the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear programme, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the role of nuclear energy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They agreed on the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation and dialogue on these matters, as well as on enhancing the visibility and outreach of the IAEA’s work.

The meeting between Minister Gakosso and Director General Grossi was a positive and fruitful one, reflecting the strong and cordial relations between the Republic of the Congo and the IAEA. Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of their discussions and their willingness to further deepen their partnership in advancing their common interests and objectives.

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Meeting with the CTBTO Executive Secretary Dr. Robert Floyd

Michael — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:39:09 +0000

On March 17, 2023, at 11:00 a historic meeting took place between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Congo, H.E. Jean-Claude Gakosso, and the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Dr. Rob Floyd, in Vienna. The meeting aimed to strengthen the cooperation between the Republic of the Congo and the CTBTO on issues related to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and verification.

H.E. Jean-Claude Gakosso is a prominent figure in Congolese politics and diplomacy. He has been serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2015, succeeding Basile Ikouébé. He is also a member of the Mbochi tribe and a close ally of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso. He holds a degree in journalism from the Sorbonne University in France and has taught at the Marien Ngouabi University in Congo. He has also authored several books on topics such as media regulation.

Dr. Rob Floyd is an Australian scientist and diplomat who became the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO in 2021, following the retirement of Lassina Zerbo. He has a Ph.D. in population ecology from Griffith University and has worked as a senior official in various Australian government agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Defence, and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. He has also been involved in several international initiatives on nuclear security and verification, such as the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification and the International Monitoring System.

The meeting between H.E. Gakosso and Dr. Floyd was an opportunity to discuss the status of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans all nuclear explosions for any purpose. The CTBT was opened for signature in 1996 and has been signed by 186 States and ratified by 177 States, including Congo. However, it has not yet entered into force, as eight States listed in Annex 2 of the Treaty have not ratified it: China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, and the United States.

H.E. Gakosso reaffirmed Congo’s commitment to the CTBT and its objectives of preventing nuclear proliferation and promoting nuclear disarmament. He also expressed his appreciation for the work of the CTBTO and its verification regime, which consists of a global network of over 300 monitoring stations and laboratories that can detect any nuclear explosion anywhere on Earth. He praised Dr. Floyd’s leadership and vision for enhancing the CTBTO’s capabilities and outreach.

Dr. Floyd thanked H.E. Gakosso for his support and cooperation and commended Congo for its active participation in the CTBTO’s activities and events. He also briefed him on the latest developments and challenges facing the CTBT and its verification regimes, such as the recent nuclear tests conducted by North Korea, the modernization of nuclear arsenals by some States, and the impact of climate change on monitoring technologies. He urged H.E. Gakosso to use his influence and voice to encourage other African States, especially Egypt, to ratify the CTBT and bring it closer to its entry into force.

The meeting between Minister Gakosso and Dr. Floyd was a significant step towards enhancing the cooperation and partnership between Congo and the CTBTO. It also an opportunity to reaffirm that the CTBT is more relevant than ever in ensuring a safer and more secure world for present and future generations.

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Meeting with the General Secretary of OPEC

Michael — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 08:22:57 +0000

The meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Congo, H.E. Jean-Claude Gakosso, and the OPEC Secretary General H.E. Haitham Al Ghais on 16.03.2023 was a significant event for both parties. It took place at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna and they discussed the current state and future prospects of the global oil market and the cooperation between OPEC and Congo.

H.E. Jean-Claude Gakosso is a veteran diplomat and politician who has been serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Congo since 2015. He is also a published author and a former lecturer at the Marien Ngouabi University on journalism. He has been actively involved in promoting regional integration and peace in Africa, as well as strengthening Congo’s relations with various countries and organizations.

H.E. Haitham Al Ghais is a respected oil technocrat and well-known OPEC figure who took office as the Secretary General of OPEC on 1 August 2022. He has 30 years of experience in the global oil industry, having worked in various positions at the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) in Kuwait, Beijing, and London. He was also a leading member of Kuwait’s delegation to the meetings of OPEC, and the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) between OPEC Member Countries and non-OPEC oil-producing countries.

During the gathering, the two officials exchanged views on the latest developments and challenges in the oil market, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on demand and supply. They also discussed the role and contribution of OPEC and its partners in ensuring stability and sustainability in the market, as well as enhancing energy security and access for all.

H.E. Gakosso expressed his appreciation for OPEC’s efforts and achievements in balancing the market and supporting the recovery of the global economy. He also reaffirmed Congo’s commitment to adhere to its production adjustments under the DoC framework, which Congo joined in 2018 as its 15th member country. He highlighted the importance of cooperation and dialogue among oil-producing countries to address common challenges and opportunities.

H.E. Al Ghais welcomed H.E. Gakosso’s visit and praised Congo’s performance and compliance with the DoC decisions. He also commended Congo’s progress and potential in developing its oil sector and diversifying its economy. He reiterated OPEC’s support for Congo’s aspirations and initiatives, as well as its readiness to share its expertise and best practices with Congo.

The meeting concluded with a mutual expression of satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations between OPEC and Congo, as well as a desire to further strengthen them in the future. The two officials also agreed to maintain regular contact and consultation on matters of mutual interest.

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Meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria

Michael — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 20:59:02 +0000

On March 16, 2023, The Republic of Congo Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Jean-Claude Gakosso entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria in Vienna, at 15:30. There he met his counterpart from the Republic of Austria, H.E. Mr. Alexander Schallenberg. It was the first official visit by a Congolese foreign minister to Austria since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1960.

During their meeting, the two ministers reviewed the various aspects of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of common interest. They expressed their common desire to strengthen political dialogue and to develop economic, cultural, and scientific exchanges between Congo and Austria.

The two ministers also discussed challenges related to peace and security in Central Africa, including the situation in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and the Great Lakes region. They hailed the mediation efforts of Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, who holds the current chairmanship of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the African Union High-Level Committee on Libya.

Other topics addressed were global issues such as climate change, the fight against terrorism, the promotion of human rights, and multilateralism. They reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their support for initiatives aimed at reforming the Security Council to make it more representative and more effective.

At the end of their meeting, the two ministers signed a framework cooperation agreement between Congo and Austria, which aims to facilitate the implementation of joint projects in various fields such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, education, health and even culture. They also agreed to intensify contacts between parliamentary institutions, the business community, and civil society actors of the two countries.

Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso expressed his satisfaction with the success of his visit, which opened a new page in relations between Congo and Austria. He invited his counterpart Alexander Schallenberg to pay a return visit to Congo as soon as possible.

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The arrival of the Republic of the Congo Delegation in Vienna

Michael — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 19:51:26 +0000

On March 16, 2023, at 11:25, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the Francophonie and Congolese abroad of the Republic of Congo, H.E. Jean-Claude Gakosso, arrived in Vienna, the capital of the Republic of Austria, for an official visit. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation composed of senior officials from his ministry and other relevant sectors.

The delegation included:

Victorien Obouangongo – Diplomatic and Political Advisor. He was appointed to this position in 2019, after serving as an adviser to the Permanent Delegation of Congo to UNESCO in Paris. He graduated in international relations and public law from the University of Brazzaville and has completed additional training in diplomacy and conflict management. He has more than 10 years of experience in the field of multilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of education, culture, science, and communication. He participated in several international negotiations and conferences on issues of common interest to Congo and its partners. He is also responsible for monitoring bilateral relations between the Congo and certain countries in Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

Ibara Ngoualea – Technical Advisor. He has extensive experience in diplomacy, international relations, and regional integration. He has been involved in several negotiations and initiatives to promote peace, security, and cooperation in Africa and beyond. He is also a lecturer and researcher at the Marien Ngouabi University in Brazzaville, where he teaches courses on African politics, international law, and global governance.

Jean-Paul Ganongo – Press Attaché. He accompanies the Minister on his official trips and liaises with accredited journalists. He also writes press releases, speeches, and reports on Congo’s foreign relations.

Benjamin Monkassa – Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Congo in Berlin. He represents the interests of the Congo in Germany and ensures the coordination of bilateral relations between the two countries. He is also responsible for promoting Congolese culture, trade, and cooperation in Germany. He was appointed to this position in 2021, after having held several diplomatic positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Congo.

Litschauer Martin – Honorary Consul of the Republic of the Congo in Vienna. It represents the interests of Congolese citizens and promotes bilateral relations between Austria and Congo. He also offers consular services such as visas, passports, and notarizations. He has been in office since 2016 and reports to the Embassy of the Congo in Berlin.

The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest. The visit also coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Congo and the Republic of Austria, which dates back to March 18, 1963.

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