The Maravi Post

LILONGWE—Gudrun Kopp, Parliamentary State Secretary at Germany’s Development Ministry, arrived in Malawi Monday to kick off a four-day visit during which she will hold talks with Pres Banda.

According to a statement released by the Germany Embassy in Lilongwe, Kopp changed her plans to visit Malawi in February 2011 because of lack of “constructive dialogue” on different issues between Germany and Malawi which was then led by Pres Bingu wa Mutharika who died in April.

“Since constructive dialogue did not appear to be possible at that point, I had to cancel a planned visit to Malawi,” Kopp is quoted as having said.

Democracy, good governance and human rights, being the fundamental principles of German development cooperation, will be examined while Kopp is in Malawi.
 
Germany says it recognizes that the peaceful transition in April and subsequent reforms launched by Malawi’s new government are good signs Malawi’s democracy.

 “These reforms reflect a credible change in the political and economic discourse,” the statement from the German Embassy said.

“The new government’s courageous reform project has the full support of the German government which is making a comprehensive package of support available in two folds: On one hand, there are short term measures aimed at stabilising the macro-economic situation as well as cushioning the social consequences of reforms especially for the poorest segments of the population.

“On the other hand, Germany also offers to devote more attention to the overarching challenge of high population growth,” says the statement.

While in Malawi, Kopp and his delegation, will also meet ministers of finance, economic planning and development; members of civil society and private sector and international development partners and will also visit German-Malawi cooperation projects.

Germany helps Malawi in the fields of health, education, democracy and governance.
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