20 May 2019

The Botswana embassy in France will do its utmost to ensure that the country benefits fully from the Botswana-France relations, says newly appointed ambassador to Mr Mustaq Moorad.

Mr Moorad was speaking during a meeting with National Assembly deputy speaker Mr Kagiso Molatlhegi recently. 

He said the opening of the embassy proved to France that Botswana took keen interest in deepening the two countries’ already existing relations as well as exploring new areas of cooperation.

Botswana’s presence in France, he said, would be beneficial to the country in many ways.

The ambassador, whose meeting with the deputy speaker was part of preparations prior to assumption of post, said France’s status necessitated the solidification  of relations with it.

He said France was not only the second largest economy in Europe, but was also a member of the UN Security Council, and therefore a major contributor to peace and security in the world.

Mr Moorad said France would take Botswana more seriously following the opening of the embassy there.

Expressing gratitude for the visit, Mr Molatlhegi assured Ambassador Moorad that the National Assembly would make full use of Botswana’s new mission.

He said Parliament would also do its best to ensure that Botswana benefited from the two countries’ relations.

On some of the projects that the National Assembly was working on, Mr Molatlhegi said Parliament would in the near future launch a project called ‘Botswana Speaks’. 

Its  purpose, he explained, would be to facilitate dialogue between MPs and their constituents.

He said the project would give Batswana the opportunity to give legislators feedback and contribute to the country’s development process by sharing ideas with their MPs. 

Further,  Mr Molatlhegi said the National Assembly was currently developing its ICT masterplan. ENDS