Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs Successfully Concludes Strategic Diplomatic Engagements in Brussels
BRUSSELS — The Honourable Lejone Mpotjoana, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho, has successfully concluded a high-level diplomatic mission in Brussels, Belgium, on 22 May 2025. Accompanied by H.E. Mantoetsi Mohatonyane, Lesotho’s Ambassador to the BENELUX countries and the European Union, the Minister engaged in a series of strategic meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships.
The engagements, hosted at the prestigious Cercle Gaulois, were coordinated by the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Lesotho to Belgium, marking the Consul’s first formal engagement with Honourable Mpotjoana since assuming office in 2024. The meetings reflected Lesotho’s growing commitment to deepening international cooperation across diplomacy, trade, culture, and education.
The day began with a cordial meet-and-greet between Honourable Mpotjoana and the Honorary Consul, laying the foundation for a day of high-impact discussions. Central to the agenda was the promotion of economic and cultural ties between Lesotho and Belgium, reinforcing Lesotho’s presence within European diplomatic circles.
One of the key highlights was a meeting with Mr. Paul Walton, Executive Director of the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF), accompanied by Deputy Executive Director Ms. Holy Ranaivozanany. Established in 2020, the AEF champions a renewed partnership between Africa and Europe, focusing on health, climate, and sustainable finance. Discussions centred on shared priorities, with Minister Mpotjoana emphasizing Lesotho’s readiness to engage in forward-thinking collaborations that address global challenges through joint innovation and development.
In a strategic move to elevate Lesotho’s visibility in international media, the Honourable Minister held a meeting with Ms. Barbara Dietrich, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Diplomatic World Magazine. The session is expected to result in prominent media exposure for the Kingdom in an upcoming edition, showcasing Lesotho’s foreign policy vision and diplomatic progress to a global audience.
The diplomatic tour concluded with a session at 35°Nord, a Brussels-based public relations firm that specializes in communication strategies for African states. Here, Minister Mpotjoana met with Mr. Nicolas Van Gossum, Consulting Director, to discuss Lesotho’s public diplomacy approach and how to strategically position the Kingdom on the European stage through targeted messaging and brand development.
“These meetings have opened up new avenues for collaboration and affirmed Lesotho’s commitment to building strong, mutually beneficial international partnerships,” said Minister Mpotjoana. “We are proud to represent a nation with great potential and a strong voice in the global arena.”
The successful engagements in Brussels reaffirm Lesotho’s proactive role in international diplomacy and mark a significant step forward in its efforts to secure strategic partnerships that advance national interests and sustainable development. Through these initiatives, Lesotho continues to build a reputation as a forward-looking and globally engaged African nation.
