08 Dec 2019

The President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, on December 5 received letters of credence from ambassadors of Venezuela, Morocco and Serbia. 

The three ambassadors wished the President well and congratulated him on the recent general elections victory. 

The trio also indicated that their countries were committed to continuing the existing bilateral cooperation with Botswana. 

Ambassador Youssef Amrani of Morocco said his country was willing to work with Botswana to address the two countries’ similar values and challenges. 

Ambassador Amrani said his government would not only continue to strengthen bilateral relations with Botswana, but also work with the African Union to create jobs, promote growth as well as build a strong and secure Africa. 

For his part, Ambassador Omar Berroteran Paredes of Venezuela noted that one of the key issues for his government was the importance of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as an organisation, in terms of the approach to Latin America. 

He further indicated that there were many possibilities of cooperation in various sectors between the two countries; among them education, mining, energy as well as housing and construction. 

Ambassador Paredes noted that the bilateral cooperation went back to 2007, adding that his government was committed to strengthening political relations as well. 

He said Africa, was Venezuela’s priority, adding that his government was committed to formalising and strengthening bilateral relations. 

Ambassador Goran Vujicic of Serbia noted that Botswana and Serbia had long relations, which started in independence, and his government was firm on maintaining such relations. 

Ambassador Vujicic said their area of interest and of benefit to Botswana was education, since they share the same values on it. 

He noted that with his government’s education programme: World in Serbia, which is a scholarship grant for all levels of studies for students coming from the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement, they hoped young people would share and learn for the development of both countries. 

He said the two countries could also collaborate in other fields such as tourism, agriculture, police and defence as well as any other field of mutual interests. Ends