16 Oct 2017

The just ended inaugural session of the Botswana/Ethiopia Joint Ministerial Commission (JCM) in Gaborone has come up with several resolutions to promote fruitful cooperation between the two countries.

Botswana was represented by the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, while Ethiopia was represented by the State Minister for Political Affairs, Ms Hirut Zemene Kassa.

A communique from the Ministry of Foreigner Affairs and International Cooperation states that in the spirit to foster closer relations and consolidate the existing bilateral ties, the two ministers reviewed the state of bilateral cooperation and further expressed satisfaction at the new momentum gained to enhance bilateral engagement between the two countries.

It says Dr Venson-Moitoi and Ms Kassa noted the warm and cordial relations that exist between Botswana and Ethiopia and underscored the importance of further deepening and consolidating these ties through the adoption and implementation of concrete programmes in the fields of economic and technical cooperation, socio-cultural, human resources and manpower development, diplomatic, legal, defence and security matters.

“In particular, the ministers highlighted the areas of air transport, tourism, beef industry and leather industry, as the possible foundation for economic cooperation between the two countries,” says the statement.

On regional issues, the ministers exchanged views on the political and security developments on the African continent.

In this regard, they reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together, bilaterally and under the auspices of the African Union, in pursuit of economic development and sustainable peace and stability in the continent.

Dr Venson-Moitoi and Ms Hirut Zemene Kassa expressed their countries’ commitment to African unity and the implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063 and its Action Plan.

The communique states that Ms Kassa expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to her and her delegation during their visit to Botswana.

During the JMC, the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia and Ethiopia’s Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Professor Beyene, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) on Cooperation in the Field of Livestock and Fisheries.

The communiques states that the two ministers urged senior officials to accelerate conclusion of the pending Draft Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, namely; Draft Extradition Treaty, Draft Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance, draft MOUs on Agricultural Cooperation; Cooperation in the fields of Youth, Sport and Culture and Cooperation in the Health sector, to ensure that they are signed before the next Joint Ministerial Commission.

In a similar development, Ethiopia’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Dr Woldemariam and Botswana’s Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama discussed the way forward to strengthen relations between the two countries in the sector. The communique states that in this regard, the two ministers agreed to sign the MoU on Tourism Cooperation in December.

During her visit, Ms Hirut Zemene Kassa and her delegation visited and toured Botswana Meat Commission in Lobatse to have an appreciation of Botswana beef production industry. The tour provided an opportunity to explore collaboration in meat processing and packaging and other areas of mutual interest in the beef sector.

The second session of the Joint Ministerial Commission will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at a date to be mutually agreed upon through normal diplomatic channels. ENDS