13 Feb 2018

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has said Botswana is committed to revive and strengthen her bilateral ties with Zimbabwe.

Speaking during his official talks with his Zimbabwean counterpart, Mr  Emmerson Mnangagwa, President Khama expressed delight over the outstanding bilateral relations that existed between the two countries. President Khama congratulated President Mnangagwa for assuming office as  Zimbabwe’s  head of state, highlighting that it reaffirmed the need to revive the two countries’ bilateral relations.

He said Botswana viewed the latest political developments in Zimbabwe as an opportune time for the revival of Zimbabwe’s economy, its political landscape as well as bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

He said Botswana highly valued its relationship with Zimbabwe and highly regarded her as a special friend in the region with similar cultural values.

He said there were viable opportunities to enhance mutual knowledge and understanding between the two countries through the establishment of political consultations as well as through bilateral cooperation.

The relationship between the two countries, he said, was built on shared values and cooperation in international and regional organisation such as the United Nations and SADC as well as a shared commitment to democracy, respect for human rights, peace and security, economic and social development, together with an international trade system that benefits all countries.

President Khama noted that he was optimistic that President Mnangagwa would create a platform to embrace democracy and all the principles that surrounded the rule of law in order to position Zimbabwe towards a sustainable economic recovery. He therefore assured Mr Mnagagwa that Botswana stand ready to give Zimbabwe all the support in her new journey of economic transformation and peace and prosperity for the betterment of the people of Zimbabwe.

For his comment, President Mnangagwa, who is on a two-day state visit to Botswana, expressed delight over the invite and hospitality he has been rendered by Botswana as it was his first ever state visit since being sworn in as Zimbabwe head of state.   

He said Botswana has played a critical role in the history of Zimbabwe, which dated back to the years of liberation struggle. 

President Mnangagwa indicated that the two countries had a lot of similar economic and investment interest that could create employment and economical developmental progress that could be of great benefit to both countries. He expressed pleasure at cooperation on initiatives aimed at sustainable economic development, including agriculture, education as well as business development.

 As sister countries, President Mnangagwa said the two countries shared a lot in common, hence the need to further strengthen ties in any field that would be of great benefit to citizens of both countries. BOPA