05 Oct 2015

Botswana and Germany governments have over the years enjoyed cordial bilateral relations, which have been underpinned by cooperation in various fields, Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Unity Dow, has said.

Speaking at a cocktail dinner to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the German Unity, Dr Dow said fields included extension of technical assistance to Botswana, particularly in areas of skills development and vocational training.

The dinner, she said marked a critical milestone in the history of Germany its people re-affirmed their commitment to a united Germany which, she highlighted was not only at peace with itself, but at peace with the whole world.

She further indicated that Botswana was committed to continue working with Germany to enhance the two country’s bilateral agreements.

“We do so, conscious of the pivotal role that German assistance has played in a modest economic development that our country has registered to date. We remain eternally indebted to Germany for these gestures of friendships,” she said.   

Due to the visionary leadership of the modern Germany, she said the strength of a unified Germany had been an added strength to the rest of the world.

Thus, she said as a united country, Germany, being the biggest economy in Europe, had played a pivotal role in addressing challenges that afflicted the world today, particularly problems related to development.

As such, Dr Dow expressed hope that German unification could be an inspiration to the rest of the world today which, she said unfortunately had been characterised by sectarian divisions which were manifested in seemingly in chartable conflicts afflicting, not only the African continent, but in the rest of the world today.

As the Germans commemorated their 25th anniversary of unity, Minister Dow said the Botswana government knew with a lot of satisfaction critical leadership and role that Germany had played and continued to play to address some of the challenges facing humanity today.

“We commend the people and the leadership of Germany for playing a pivotal role to address economic crisis in Greece. We hope this kind of friendship and partnership continues,” she added.

Further, she said Botswana stood ready at all times to work with cooperative partners and friends, such as Germany, adding “history could judge us very harshly if we stand by and watch, as spectators, when the world crumbles around us. It is our responsibility, all of us, or every country in the world.”

On the other hand, German Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Rolf Ulrich also reiterated that Germany and Botswana had always enjoyed close and fruitful relations.

“We are proud to have contributed, though moderately, to the impressive development Botswana has achieved since independence. Today, the focus is in enhancing skills and human resources, Mr Ulrich said.

He expressed gratitude that earlier this year they managed to finalise agreement on the next face of corporation in the field of vocational training in a trilateral framework, between both governments and the Botswana Chamber of Mines.

Also, he said they again this year held biannual negotiations with SADC in Gaborone and succeeded in settling redefined course of German corporation with SADC, in particular, with the view to support SADC’s revised regional integrated strategic development plan and its industrialisation strategy.

Nevertheless, Mr Ulrich said German was looking forward to work together with Botswana, as the new SADC chair, to make some of the dreams of regional integration in Southern Africa come true for the benefit of its people. Ends