Brussels, 19 September 2011: ACP Ambassadors paid tribute to their peer from Djibouti, H.E Mr. Mohamed Moussa Chehem, who concluded a distinguished decade-long term as Dean of ACP Ambassadors and the Diplomatic Corps of the Arab League last Thursday.

Chairman of the Committee of Ambassadors H.E. Mr. Stephen T. Kapimpina Katenta-Apuli applauded key achievements during Ambassador Chehem’s tenure since he took office in Brussels in June 2000. This included chairmanship of core subcommittees, working groups as well as the Committee of Ambassadors in 2008.

“Discreet and effective, wise and firm, these adjectives aptly describe the man who, for over a decade, has always acted in the interest ACP Group,” said the Chairman.

“We all know the conviction with which Ambassador Chehem has expressed his views on the various issues debated in this very room, during our Committee meetings. Whether it was the EPA negotiations, our relations with the EU, or contributions to the Secretariat’s budget, our Dean has always been able to make reason prevail.”

At the bilateral level, Ambassador Chehem helped upgrade the representation of the European Union in Djibouti to a full EU delegation, instead of an office attached to the EU delegation in Addis Ababa. Successful partnerships forged during his term also led to the opening of an FAO office in Djibouti.

Ambassador Chehem thanked his fellow diplomats for their support and urged them to “move forward” with work to raise the status of the ACP Group, and explore the potentials of South-South cooperation with BRICs countries.

Succeeding Ambassador Chehem as Dean is the Ambassador of Burkina Faso, H.E. Mr. Désiré Ouedraogo.

Photo: Ambassador of Djibouti H.E Mohamed Moussa Chehem leaves a parting gift for the ACP Secretariat, presented to Secretary-General H.E Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas.

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