09 Feb 2015

Ambassador of Netherlands to Botswana, Ms Marisa Gerards says Botswana and her country have similar views with regard to the importance of the role played by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

She said this in an interview after presenting credentials to President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama yesterday.

“ICC is a very important organisation and many African countries are state party to it,” she said.

Ms Gerards further said Netherlands and Botswana have close cooperation on issues of peace, justice and human rights.

She said the two countries share similar views on fighting impunity as a deterrent to justice and have a  close cooperation in that field.

The Netherlands Ambassador said she has had “excellent” discussion with President Khama on political and international issues with regard to peace and justice.
Ms Gerards said she would further explore other areas of cooperation on economic field as well as tri-lateral cooperation between Netherlands, Botswana and other countries in the African region.

Ambassador for Chad to Botswana, Mr Mahamoud Bechir, who also presented his credentials to President Khama , said as the first appointee to Botswana, he would look at areas of cooperation that his country and Botswana might wish to explore.

He said the presidents of the two countries have a vision to see the South to South Cooperation strengthened for African countries to harness the opportunities in it for them to depend on each other and not refer their problems to be solved elsewhere.

Mr Bechir further said he has had a “fruitful discussions” with President Khama on issues of terrorism and security in Sudan, Libya, Cameroon and Nigeria.

He also said President Khama was interested in issues of economic situation in the world, especially the down grading of the oil prices that has led  to Chad withdrawing from hosting the next African Union Summit that was scheduled for June/July, and will now be hosted by South Africa. ENDS