The Prime Minister Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili has on Tuesday  18th February, 2003 led Lesotho's delegation to the Africa-France Summit scheduled for Paris, France from Thursday to Friday this week. The Prime Minister will then participate at the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM) conference for Heads of States and Governments to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from Monday to Tuesday next week.

Speaking in a brief interview prior to his departure, the Prime Minister said the Africa -France Summit will strengthen dialogue, cooperation and partnership between African states and France. He noted that among themes that the summit will focus on include political partnership, African Union, the role of sub regional organization in the prevention and resolution of conflicts as well as partnership for development in health and education, water and preservation of natural resources and agricultural development.

Mr. Mosisili said Lesotho will benefit from the summit for her bilateral and multilateral image will be enhanced thereby increasing political as well as economic gains that will accrue from the Africa-France cooperation. He said France has already shown its commitment through its contribution to the European Union assistance fund to Africa, which ranges between 20 to 25 %.

Speaking about the Non -Aligned Movement Conference to be held in Malaysia, the Prime Minister said the meeting will focus on ways to enhance the status and role of the movement in the midst of new challenges, adding that this is due to the fact that some of the conditions under which the movement was founded no longer exists.

The Prime Minister explained that when NAM was founded, its major aim was to fight against East-West conflict based on a set of general principles of international relations that included among others, sharing of benefits of world economic, information and communication order.

The conference will enhance Lesotho's image in maintenance of peace, democracy as well as linking her multilaterally with NAM as well as the Group 77 and China. The Prime Minister's delegation which consists of the First Lady Mrs. Mathato Mosisili, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Mohlabi Tsekoa, the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs Mr. Motlatsi Ramafole, the Senior Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Mrs. Mamohlomi Seitlheko and other senior government officials. The Prime Minister and his entourage  returns to Lesotho on Thursday next week.

19th February, 2003