Africa-Press – Lesotho. King Letsie III has welcomed the new European Union (EU) Head of Delegation to Lesotho, Ambassador Paola Amadei, noting her engagement comes at the right time when Lesotho is reeling from the devastating Covid-19 pandemic.
Ambassador Amadei presented her letters of credence at the Royal Palace in Maseru on Wednesday this week. She replaces Ambassador Christian Manahl, who left Lesotho in August after spending four years in Maseru as EU Head of Delegation.
Receiving the new head of delegation King Letsie noted that the effects of Covid-19 have demonstrated that no country can manage such a pandemic alone without support from other countries. Close to half a million Basotho have so far been vaccinated against the dreaded Coronavirus, he said.
The King further noted that the existing economic partnership agreement providing opportunities for Basotho businesses to get into the EU market will not only contribute towards the economic development of Lesotho but will also create job opportunities for Basotho in the private sector.
He also appreciated the singular partnership between the EU and Lesotho, which started more than 40 years ago and has been reliable, particularly in economic, social and political development.
The King added that the EU’s support in the provision of water, energy, and protection of natural resources remains prominent. King Letsie further assured the Ambassador of the nation and it’s government’s support during her tenure of office in order to make her tour of duty both fruitful, rewarding and enjoyable.
In her remarks, Amadei expressed her intention to continue to act as an effective bridge between Lesotho and EU institutions. She said her mandate is to help to deliver a green and social deal for Lesotho, which will ensure a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy for Lesotho, which will be a lifeline in ensuring a strong post-Covid-19 economic system.
She added that the above will help build a stable, peaceful and prosperous Lesotho and leave no one behind. She said with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, she will soon start working for a new session of the Lesotho–EU political dialogue after a successful round this year.
Amadei later paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro. Ambassador Amadei has a long and distinguished career which includes postings in various Latin American and European countries and has been part of the EU delegation to the United Nations in New York.
She began her professional career at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Santiago, Chile. She later joined the EU where she worked in the areas of international relations and development cooperation.
Between 2016 and 2020, she was the Executive Director of the EU-LAC (European Union, Latin American and Caribbean) Foundation, an international organisation based in Hamburg, Germany.
She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Tufts University in the United States. She speaks fluent Italian, English, Spanish, French and German.
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