Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), was in bilateral talks with Hon. Heidi Hautala, the Minister of International Development of Finland today in Helsinki.

In their bilateral discussion, the two Ministers expressed their governments’ appreciation to the happily existing bilateral relations exist between the two countries.

Minister Membe thanked the government of Finland for unwavering support and commitment to Tanzania in terms of both General Budget Support (GBS) and Sectoral Support. On her part, Hon. Hautala assured Tanzania of Finland's commitment to stay a course.

The Ministers also exchanged views on the ways and means of strengthening the newly established the Uongozi Institute for Sustainable Development currently situated in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Institute, which is the brain child of the Helsinki Process, was co-Chaired by Tanzania and Finland with goals to seek new approaches on global problem solving.

Minister Hautala was accompanied by Ms. Vuokko Jutila from the Department for Africa and Middle East and Ms. Maria Kurikkala, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for International Development. For Tanzania’s part, Minister Membe was accompanied by Amb. Mohamed Mzale, Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania in Sweden accredited to Finland and Ms. Dora Msechu, Acting Director for Multilateral Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.