Alasane Ouattara, the president of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire has written to the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, acknowledging receipt of his message on the occasion of the National Day of Cote d' Ivoire.

The message reads:

It was with great pleasure, that I received your congratulatory message you so kindly addressed to me on the occasion of the National Day of my country.

I wish to seize this occasion to express to you my gratefulness for this delicate mark of attention, which beyond words, illustrates the reciprocal esteem we have for each other and translates above all our personal relationship and the exceptional quality of ties of friendship and cooperation which happily bind our two peoples.

While reiterating my entire satisfaction for this fraternal gesture, I wish to assure of my fullest availability to work with you in strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation that exist between our two countries.

Please accept, Mr. President and Dear Brother, the assurances of my highest fraternal consideration.

Alassane Ouattara

President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire