The presence of the new High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Lesotho is true testimony of the commitment and efforts of both countries to maintain and strengthen ties of friendship.

His Majesty King Letsie III said this when accepting the letters of credence from the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Lesotho, His Excellency Nigel Phillip Casey at the Royal Palace in Maseru.

The King said the friendship between the two countries has existed since 1868 when Lesotho became a British protectorate, and appreciated efforts made by the United Kingdom to strengthen the bilateral relations through a variety of government to government programmes.

He acknowledged interventions that the British government has made through the Department for International Development to assist Lesotho to overcome some of its developmental challenges, and the important work done by organisations such as Sentebale, Kick-4-Life, Lesotho Wales Link and Lesotho Durham Link, especially in supporting the needy and vulnerable members of the society.

Presenting credentials to the King, His Excellency Casey said the two Kingdoms have deep historical ties which remain relevant today, and United Kingdom continues to work towards a more prosperous and secure future for Lesotho.

He noted that they provide over 57 Million Maloti a year to Lesotho in development assistance, through multilateral organisations including the European Union, the World Bank and African Development Bank, United Kingdom regional development programmes and international Non-Governmental Organisations.