16 Oct 2017

Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi and her counterpart Ethiopia’s State Minister for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Hirut Kassa have expressed satisfaction at the new momentum gained to enhance bilateral engagement between their two countries. 

In the spirit to foster closer relations and consolidate existing warm and cordial bilateral ties that exists between Botswana and Ethiopia, Dr Venson-Moitoi hosted a two-day inaugural session of the Botswana/Ethiopia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) to review the state of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Officially closing the JMC that was established following the signing of an Addendum to the 2012 General Framework Agreement of Cooperation between Botswana and Ethiopia on July 2017 in Addis Ababa, the two ministers expressed gratitude that the deliberations aimed at deepening the two countries’ bilateral cooperation were enriching and fruitful. 

They also stressed the importance of further deepening and consolidating these ties.

The ministers also urged senior officials from both countries who attended the meeting to accelerate conclusion of pending draft agreements and MoUs to ensure they were signed before the next JMC. 

These include; Draft Extradition Treaty, Draft Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance, Draft MoUs on Agricultural Cooperation, Cooperation in the fields of Youth, Sport and Culture and Health sector. 

Once concluded, the MoUs and agreements would help to further guide and advance the two countries cooperation going forward.

In her remarks, Dr Venson-Moitoi noted with appreciation the promising cooperation between Botswana and Ethiopia especially in the critical sectors of the economy such as; trade and industry, culture, tourism, agriculture and air transport.

“The success of this meeting reflects our strong will and determination towards further strengthening the existing friendly relations, as well as enhancing closer collaboration,” she added.

The JMC meeting, she said had revealed the need for more interaction, ‘not only between Ministers of Foreign Affairs, but also between the lime ministries and departments in the various key sectors.’

As the two countries implement decisions made during the JMC meeting, International Affairs and Cooperation minister stressed that regular contacts should be maintained, to have tangible results at the next meeting.

For her part, Ms Kassa, said Botswana and Ethiopia enjoyed an exemplary and long lasting bilateral relations based on the spirit of brotherhood and Pan Africanism.

“We have demonstrated our commitment to enhance this relationship through close consultations, exchange of high level visits, experiences haring, as well as signing of various bilateral agreements,” she said.

To work closer for mutual benefit, Ms Kassa said the two states signed agreements which included; a General Cooperation Agreement in 2012, which led to holding of the first Botswana/Ethiopia JTC meeting in Gaborone, a MoU on Renewal of Sister City Relations between Gaborone and Addis Ababa in 2012, as well as a Cooperation Agreement in air service in 2013.

On July 2016, she said Botswana and Ethiopia took a decisive step to elevate the two countries’ Joint Technical Committee (JTC) to the JMC, as a bilateral mechanism that would afford the two an opportunity to exchange views on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.  

However, despite attempts to invigorate the two countries’ long lasting relations, she said Botswana and Ethiopia had not yet fully advanced it to its highest potential. 

“We have not been able to benefit concretely and practically from the numerous achievements and rich experiences of our two countries. 

Implementation of the agreements that we have signed in the previous years lag far behind and investments and bilateral trade remain small, both in terms of value and in the range of products,” she added. 

To address this, Ms Kassa said there was need for Botswana and Ethiopia to recommit and encourage business people to establish closer interactions and collaborations with each other. 

Furthermore, to build stronger ties and to strengthen people to people relations, she said enhanced trade, investment and bench marking visits were significant, as well skill and socio-cultural exchanges through transfer of knowledge.

 On regional issues, the two ministers exchanged views on political and security developments on the African continent and reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together, bilaterally and under the auspices of AU, in pursuit of economic development and sustainable peace and stability in the continent. 

Meanwhile, still at the JMC meeting, the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia and his counterpart, Ethiopia’s Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Prof. Fekadu Beyene, signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of livestock and fisheries. BOPA