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Roundup: Madagascar's president to make 2015 prosperous year of working

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Madagascar's president Hery Rajaonarimampianina wished during the annual New Year greetings of the presidential couple on Friday to make 2015 a prosperous year of working.

An official gathering was held Friday at the state place of Iavoloha, around 10 km south of Madagascar's capital.

Top leaders, including President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Prime Minister Kolo Roger, National Assembly president Jean Max Rakotomamonjy, civilians and military authorities as well as ambassadors working in Madagascar joined over around 1,500 guests invited by the president's couple.

Former presidents, Didier Ratsiraka who led the country during 21 years from 1975 to 1991 and from 1996 to 2001, and Marc Ravalomanana who was president of Madagascar from 2002 to 2009 also attended the gathering.

A representative of international community, the National Assembly president, and the prime minister gave their speeches successively before the president. All of them condemned the assassination of 12 people at the French Magazine Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday.

In his speech, the dean of ambassadors working in Madagascar, the Ambassador of Morocco to Madagascar Mohamed Ahmar, referred to a report issued by the British firm Control Risk, saying that Madagascar is in the category of area with high risk in security, geopolitics and economy.

"This ranking is a fundamental importance because it is carefully considered by investors before making an investment decision," Ahmar said.

Mohamed Ahmar added the international community hopes that Madagascar will be on the rail with the effort of the current authorities.

The national assembly president Jean Max Rakotomamonjy expressed his bitter conclusion for the current situation in Madagascar.

"The people had high expectations from the Government including the President of the Republic. Certainly we cannot do everything. We should take an initiative. The president of the republic already took this initiative to do something," Rakotomamonjy said.

Rakotomamonjy summarized that the parliament adopted many laws useful for Malagasy people during the year 2014. Among of them is the creation of High Court of Justice, which aimed to establish the state of law because this court will judge the chiefs of state.

Rakotomamonjy did not forget to wish the president to fulfill his five-year term.

During his speech, the Prime Minister Kolo Roger listed also the realization of his government during their 8 months of working.

The prime minister talked about the reintegration of Madagascar into the international community, the coming back of traditional donors and the establishment of State of law in Madagascar as well as the restoration of human right in the country.

Kolo Roger said that fight against corruption was strengthened, rural and urban security was resumed and fight against poverty was improved.

He said that 10,000 teachers for public schools were recruited, many health centers were rehabilitated and many villages had sanitation and drinking water since he led the government.

The gathering was presided over by Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

"I wish 2015 to be a prosperous year of working for the Malagasy people," Hery Rajaonarimampianina said.

He hailed efforts already done by his regime saying that 500, 000 students under 15 years who already left came back to school in 2015, the State of Law will be strengthened with the fight against corruption.

He increased by seven percent the salary of public servants and promised to build houses for them.

He attenuated from 3 months to one year and half the condemnation of prisoners.

Rajaonarimampianina promised to recruit again 10,000 teachers of public schools for 2015.

The president announced that Madagascar is preparing the hosting of the 16th summit of French speaking countries in 2016.

He said to stop subvention for oil businessmen to practice the truth of price at the pump but promised to give this money to subvention rural family by July 2015.

He said to establish the High Court of Justice by the end of this month.

He reassured investors to install peaceful climate of investment in the country and promised not to increase tax in 2015.

He said to invest on the protection of environment especially in protection of sea and Madagascar's natural resources.

He insisted on national reconciliation saying that Malagasy people has enough crisis during this 50 years of independence.

Hery Rajaonarimampianina, 57, has led Madagascar since January 25, 2014 following the December 2013 presidential election and after a five-year political crisis in the country. Endi