OUAGADOUGOU, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Burkina Faso has officially welcomed home its diplomatic and consular personnel returning from France following the closure of its embassy and consulate general there, according to a statement released Monday evening by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A total of 12 diplomats and consular staff were received on Monday at the ministry in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital, by Minister of Foreign Affairs Karamoko Jean Marie Traore.
During the ceremony, Jean Marie Bakouan, former charge d'affaires of Burkina Faso's embassy in Paris, handed over the national flag that had flown over the embassy building, along with the embassy keys, to Traore, according to the statement.
The move comes after Burkina Faso announced on June 26 its decision to sever diplomatic relations with France.
Addressing the ceremony, Traore said the return of the diplomats marked an important stage in implementing the decision, adding that administrative procedures related to the closure were still underway.
He also praised the diplomatic team for completing the closure procedures and related administrative work within seven days.
Bakouan said all necessary arrangements had been made to inform Burkina Faso's international partners under the embassy's jurisdiction, including international organizations based in France and other countries previously covered by the Paris mission.
Former Consul General Eric Zoungrana said measures had been put in place, in coordination with the High Council of Burkinabe Abroad, to continue handling pending consular affairs for Burkinabe nationals in France, including the delivery of passports that had already been issued. ■