"It is with much apprecialtion that I received the correspondence that you addressed to the Malian people and to me as well as your sincere congratulations and best wishes for happiness on the celebration of Mali's accession to independence 49 year ago.
In return, I wish to thank you wholeheartedly and to express the wish to see the bonds of friendship and cooperation that so happily exist between The Gambia and Mali further strengthened.
While reiterating my will to strengthen our relations, please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration."