The vice president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, Dr Ajaratou Isatou Njie-Saidy, yesterday received in her office, His Excellency, Carlos Gomes Junior, the prime minister of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, at State House in Banjul.

Speaking to newsmen, shortly after his audience with the vice president, Prime Minister Gomez told reporters that the purpose of his visit to State House was to thank the government and people of The Gambia for the positive role they played during the his country’s civil conflict.

According to him, during those difficult periods,The Gambia stood beside their country in ensuring a lasting peace.  He also  thanked them for the solidarity manifested between the two countries. PM Gomez Junior further revealed that in terms of cooperation, the two countries can do more to strengthen their bilateral ties as they share many things in common.

According to him, PAIGC is the party that won the last election in Guinea Bissau, of which he is the president. "This party won with a qualified majority and now have a government which has to count on the parliament,” he said, and added: “we have received some information that we have  natural resources like Petroleum, Bauxite and phosphate. I think the only thing we can do is share the exploration of those natural resources with our brothers and neighboring countries. Since The Gambia has a positive role in Guinea Bissau, we have to be grateful to it and invite the government and the private sector to come and enjoy those natural resources.

The visiting Guinean PM and delegation were later hosted to a lunch by the vice president at the Jerma Beach Hotel, which was attended by Speaker of the National Assembly, secretaries of state, members of the diplomatic community, among other senior government officials.