Tanzania opens new embassy in Israel

DAR ES SALAAM, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Augustine Mahiga, on Wednesday commissioned the country's new embassy in Israel.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation on Wednesday said Mahiga urged the Israeli government to also open its embassy in Tanzania.

The opening of the new embassy in Tel Aviv followed the recent visit to Tanzania by Israelis Minister for Justice, Ayelet Shaked, who led a high ranking delegation of Israeli businessmen.

Speaking shortly after he had inaugurated the new office, Mahiga described Israel as a role model country to Tanzania.

"Despite facing multiple challenges with some of its neighboring countries, Israel has made major development strides in various sectors," said Mahiga in the statement.

The minister mentioned the sectors as agriculture, industries, health, information and communication technology, defense and security, water, conservation and energy.

On defense and security, Mahiga said Tanzanians would never forget Israel over the way it assisted the country in establishing the National Service, whose contribution towards nation building and enhancing unity and security in Tanzania was well documented.

The minister said after the Swahili language, the National Service was the second mechanism that helped a lot in bringing together over 120 tribes in Tanzania that today lived as one community.

The statement added that the inauguration of the Tanzania embassy was attended by various dignitaries including Ayelet Shaked, diplomats and Tanzanians living in Israel.

Last month, the government of Israel pledged to help transform Tanzania's ailing agriculture sector and turn the country into Africa's breadbasket.

The pledge was made by Shaked on a visit to the east African nation.

She also pledged to cement cooperation in a number of other areas, including security, pharmaceuticals and information, communication and technology (ICT).

Ties between Tanzania and Israel, severed in the 1970s, were reestablished in 1995, but Israel had still been conducting diplomatic services with Tanzania through its office in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Enditem