30 Oct 2016

Acting Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Edwin Batshu, says establishment of diplomatic relations between Botswana and Turkey in 1981 and the subsequent opening of the embassy in Gaborone deepened friendly relations that exist between the two countries.

Speaking at the 93rd anniversary celebration of the Turkey national day, Mr Batshu said they had increased collaboration between the two countries owing mainly to a number of high level exchange visits as well as Turkish active engagement with Botswana’s stakeholders.

He said the Joint Commission on Cooperation also continued to serve as an important platform for deepening collaborations in different sectors particularly boosting trade and investment between the two countries.

“The signing of Bilateral Air Service Agreement in 2013 has also paved way for the strengthening of economic and trade ties as well as tourism promotion between Botswana and Turkey,” he said.

Nonetheless, Mr Batshu said more work still needed to be done in order to stimulate economic and commercial activity between the two countries.

“It is for this reason that in 2013, Botswana took a deliberate decision to abolish visa requirements for Turkish nationals,” he said.

Such initiative, he explained, was mainly intended to facilitate interaction between the people of Botswana and Turkey, particularly the business community which led to increase of Turkish business people coming to Botswana to explore investment opportunities.

Mr Batshu reaffirmed Botswana government’s commitment to advance the strategic partnership with that of Turkey. On one hand, he indicated that there was a lot that the two countries can achieve for the benefit of its peoples through closer collaboration at both bilateral and multilateral fora.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of Turkey to Botswana, Mr Ibrahim Yagli said Botswana had on its 50th celebrations accomplished so much and it had become an unspeakable success story of Africa in every sense.

As such, Mr Yagli expressed hope that the next 50 years would bring more progress and prosperity for the beautiful Botswana.

He indicated that for Turkish government, Africa was its regional priority in expanding international relations.

“As part of Turkish partnership programme with Africa we look forward to strengthening their relationship with Botswana in all areas.

 I am happy today that Turkish business people have discovered new areas of cooperation within the two countries and exchange of economic visits are on the rise,” he said.ENDS