Ivorian Energy Minister delivers message to President Mills

Accra, March 16, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday received a special message from his Ivorian counterpart Laurent Koudou Gbagbo at the Osu Castle, delivered by the Ivorian Mines and Energy Minister, Mr Kouadio Komoe Augustin.

Though the contents of the message were not disclosed, the two nations reaffirmed their commitment to enhance their bilateral ties and fraternal relations.

The Minister, who was at the head of an 11-member delegation, later told journalists the message centered on boundary issues between the two neighbouring nations, and a request by the Ivorian Leader to President Mill= s for Ghana to step in with the supply of electricity to La Cote d'Ivoire which had in recent times been hit by power outages. Mr Augustin said President Gbagbo commended the two nations on their strong ties, and expressed the strong conviction that the boundary issue would not bring any division.

"As we maintain and renew our links, the territory issue must not divide the two nations," Mr Augustin said. President Mills renewed Ghana's commitment to the strong ties betwee= n the two nations, and wished the Ivorian people and their leader peace in their forthcoming elections. Members of the delegation included the Director-General of the Ivorian Energy Commission, and experts in survey and planning, as well as the Head of Communication at the Energy Ministry.