Mr Joao Gomez Cardoso, the minister and director of the Cabinet and a special envoy of President Nino Vieira of Guinea Bissau, yesterday paid a courtesy call on President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh in Kanilai.

Mr Cardoso told reporters that the visit was meant to further consolidate relations between Banju and Bissau. He described the recent visit of President Vieira as a positive move, considering the fact that Bissau has just emerged from a difficult past and needed the collaboration of The Gambia to build a brighter future.

Mr Cardoso said The Gambia and Guinea Bissau were sister countries, adding that The Gambia has played a crucial role in the rebuilding of Guinea Bissau. He also thanked President Jammeh for the warm welcome.