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Le ministre Pierrot Rajaonarivelo

Elections à Madagascar : Appui des pays riverains de l’Océan Indien

En marge du 12^e Conseil des Ministres de l’IOR-ARC ((Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation), qui s’est tenue à l’Hôtel « The Oberoi », Gurgaon – Inde, le Ministre indien des Affaires Etrangères, M. Salman Khurshid, a annoncé que les pays de l’IOR-ARC et en particulier, le Gouvernement indien va appuyer financièrement autant que possible le Gouvernement malgache dans l’organisation des élections, dans le cadre de la sortie de crise à Madagascar. "Nous nous sentons concernés par la situation politique qui affecte beaucoup la population malgache. C’est pourquoi, nous ferons tout notre possible pour qu’il y ait une élection libre, crédible, transparente à Madagascar”, a ajouté le Ministre Salman Khurshid, lors d’une interview exclusive.

Notons que l’IOR-ARC est une organisation de coopération régionale qui réunit 20 pays riverains de l’Océan Indien issus de l’Afrique, l’Asie et de l’Océanie, qui représentent près de deux tiers de la population mondiale. Les Comores étaient le 20^e pays qui a intégré cette organisation. Depuis l’année dernière, c’est l’Inde qui en assure la présidence. Tous les pays membres représentés par 10 Ministres des affaires étrangères et 9 Secrétaires d’état ont honoré de leur présence ce conseil des ministres de l’IOR-ARC. Ils étaient invités particulièrement par le Gouvernement indien qui assure la présidence de cette organisation pour une période de deux ans (2011 et 2012). La délégation malgache était conduite par M. Pierrot Rajaonarivelo, Ministre des Affaires étrangères, qui s’est exprimé au nom du Gouvernement malgache.

Appel à la solidarité internationale

Lors de son discours, le Ministre Pierrot Rajaonarivelo a mis en relief l’importance de l’appui de la communauté internationale dans la mise en place des institutions de la transition à Madagascar, tout en faisant toujours appel à la solidarité internationale, particulièrement les pays membres de l’IOR-ARC, pour aider Madagascar dans les moments difficiles que vit le pays actuellement.

Il a aussi mentionné qu’un accord de partenariat a été signé entre la communauté internationale, les bailleurs de fonds et le Gouvernement malagasy, le 24 octobre dernier. Ce document contient les besoins financiers pour l’organisation de l’élection prévue en mois de mai 2013, ainsi que les engagements des deux parties dans les élections.

Notons qu’avant le conseil des ministres des pays de l’IOR-ARC, trois groupes de travail, dont celui relatif au commerce et l’investissement, le forum business, le groupe académique se sont également rencontrés, à l’Hotel The Oberoi, pour discuter les activités prioritaires et les projets en cours des membres de l’IOR-ARC.

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SPEECH OF H.E.M. Pierrot J. RAJAONARIVELO

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR

AT THE 12^th IOR ARC C.O.M

02 NOVEMBER 2012

Chairman,
Dear Colleagues,

Distinguished Delegates,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, on behalf of Malagasy Government, I would like to pay special tribute to the Indian Government, the incumbent Chairpersonship of IOR-ARC for hosting the 12th meeting of the Council of Ministers and for the warm hospitality of this amazingly beautiful country; a country which can combine traditions and modernity.

Indeed, India has achieved a sterling work in promoting multi-sector development, solidarity and exchanges between IOR-ARC Member States. To illustrate, the amount of one million US Dollars that has just been granted to our Regional Community by the Indian Government in order to realize our projects and programs.

I would like to congratulate the Union of Comoros for joining and being the 20^th member of the IOR ARC.

Let me also extend my congratulations to all IOR- ARC Member States on the commemoration of our Organization’s fifteenth Anniversary this year. An Anniversary that makes us proud of our achievements and an opportunity to be hopeful for highly promising prospects for all the countries in the Region and the rest of the world.

Chairman,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

Madagascar has not been left behind for that hope. Actually, despite the tough and strenuous situation which has been prevailing in my country since 2009 up to the present time, IOR ARC and its Member States have always stood on our side. It is reflective of the unfailing solidarity of the Indian-Ocean community towards Malagasy people. Accordingly, Madagascar has always been informed about IOR-ARC activities. However, for lack of funds, our contributions were limited to the strict minimum, in keeping with our financial possibilities.

In spite of this situation, and given the sincere and mutual friendship between Madagascar and all IOR-ARC Member States, the Malagasy Government has especially favored our participation in this Council of Ministers, to show our unconditional commitment to the values ​​and objectives of this Regional body.

Chairman,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

Now, I can assert that a major step has been made in my country. Admittedly, the International community support has culminated in the establishment of all transitional institutions.The ultimate stage of ending the crisis, which is based on election organization, is in process. Therefore, Madagascar is still calling upon international solidarity, particularly IOR ARC Members States, to support our country in this difficult task on which depend the future and the stability of our Nation.

On the 24^th of October, a partnership agreement was signed between the international community and donors and the Malagasy government. This document contains the financial requirements prerequisite to hold democratic, fair, credible, transparent and consensual elections in Madagascar, expected to be held on May 2013. This document also describes the financial commitments of both parties for these elections.

Similarly, the Transitional Government is paving the way towards economic recovery. The post-crisis economic reconstruction is a major project to which all national and international development stakeholders should contribute effectively. At national level, this is marked by the Government's decision to boost EDBM’s activities or Economic Development Board for Madagascar.

In the same vein, I would like to praise the ongoing project of IOR-ARC Secretariat, namely “IOR-ARC Business Portal”. A project which aims at making all Member States’ economic data available.

This project will facilitate the promotion of partnerships among development actors of public and private sectors in the Region. In doing so, the Malagasy Government will certainly take necessary measures to motivate these stakeholders so that they will respond positively towards this project.

As for IOR-ARC working groups and its flagship projects such as: Working Group on Trade and Investment, Indian Ocean Rim Business Forum, Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group, Maritim Transport Council, IOR ARC regional Center for Science and Technology Transfer, Fishery Support Unit, Promoting Cultural Cooperation, Promotion of Tourism and University Mobility in IOR, consultations and coordination are currently under way in Madagascar. The personal data about the relevant new liaison officers will be transmitted to IOR-ARC Secretariat soon.

Chairman,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

I firmly believe that the glorious future of my country lies within the Indian Ocean countries, if referring to the geographic position and the historical ties between our countries, which is reinforced by the multi-sector potential of the Region vis-a vis its member states and globally.

Madagascar is optimistic about the future of the IOR-ARC organization: in fact, the motivation of each member to move forward is cause for optimism; we do remain optimistic because after fifteen years of existence, IOR-ARC has reached its present stage; we also feel optimistic due to the world growing interest towards this Economic Organization judging by the number of membership, partnership or observation requests in this Organization.

Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

In the next decade, IOR-ARC will consolidate its achievements, strengthen solidarity among its members, eradicate piracy and all kinds of maritime insecurity which might hinder the promotion of regional and multilateral exchanges. A new decade that will confirm the major change in the geo-economic world towards the Indian Ocean.

Chairman,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

Last but not the least, on behalf of the Government of Madagascar, allow me to thank the Secretariat of IOR ARC for its commitments and its hard works for the preparation of all our meetings.

Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues and Delegates,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

Thank you for your kind attention.