Botswana: President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says the bonds between Botswana and Angola are inseparable. He said this yesterday when giving remarks during the State Banquet in honour of Joǎo Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola who is in Botswana for a 3 days State Visit.
Dr Masisi said the visit presents a unique opportunity to further strengthen the countries existing bilateral relations and explore further cooperation avenues for the mutual benefit of citizens who share strong historical, cultural and family ties.
President Masisi stated that Botswana attaches great strategic importance to her relations with Angola not only in the bilateral arena, but also on the regional, continental and global fronts. He added that this is demonstrated through the economic integration agendas, as well as the preservation and management of shared resources for improving and sustaing the livelihoods of the river-based populations.
Botswana and Angola share preservation and management of resources such as water, flora, fish and wildlife in the Cubango-Kavango-Okavango River Basin (CORB)) and the ecosystem.
The two countries have agreed to intensify efforts to ensure the signing of outstanding Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs), such as the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, Bilateral Air Services Agreement, Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement, Agreement on Transmission of Energy; as well as collaboration on petroleum products and supply; selling of cattle and livestock vaccines; and trading on a wide range of fast-moving consumer goods and products.
Angola and Botswana are already cooperating in key regional projects together with other SADC countries. They are both integral members of the largest trans-frontier conservation area in Africa, the KAZA-TFCA, which is aimed at achieving partnerships to conserve biodiversity and jointly market tourism product offerings as an engine for economic growth.
The two countries are also involved in the protection, preservation of shared water courses, through such arrangements as the Permanent Okavango Basin Commission (OKACOM) and Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM), which are of strategic importance for the development of both the tourism and agricultural sectors in Botswana.
The two heads of state have identified several areas key to future collaboration which are renewable energy power generation; tourism; diamond beneficiation and value chains development; and the petroleum sector.
President Masisi commended President Lourenço for the support that Angola extended to Botswana’s candidate, Elias Magosi, for the position of the SADC Executive Secretary and his generous hospitality extended to him during his visits to Angola in 2021, 2019 and 2018.
President Lourenço for will depart for Angola this morning.
