16 Feb 2021

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Gaeimelwe Goitsemang says the recent signing of the agreement establishing the Bi-National Commission between Botswana and Namibia would elevate the bilateral cooperation mechanisms between the two countries.

Speaking at the virtual 6^th session of the Botswana-Namibia Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation on February 16, Mr Goitsemang said the elevation of the cooperation demonstrated the commitment of the two countries’ principals to take the friendship and cooperation to higher levels.

The agreement was signed during President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s recent working visit to Namibia.

“It will undoubtedly deepen and strengthen the bilateral relations as well as the bonds of friendship that exist between our two countries. 

Having last met in 2011, I believe we should take full advantage of this, not only to take stock of progress made in the implementation of our commitments, but also to explore further opportunities that can be exploited for the mutual benefit of our countries,” he said.

He said even though the two countries had not met for a prolonged period of time, there was significant progress in the implementation of commitments in a number of areas that included diplomatic and legal matters as well as water, health, power supply, environment, boundary treaty and transport.

“While acknowledging the modest progress in some areas, we need to redouble our efforts as there is still an array of pending Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, which have to be concluded. It is, therefore, my fervent hope that this meeting will agree on ways to expedite the conclusion of all the pending bilateral instruments,” Mr Goitsemang added.

He urged respective sectors under various committees to come up with clear time lines on the implementation of their commitments and indicate which party should initiate action to ensure effective implementation.

For his part, co-chair of the Namibian delegation and also Executive Director in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation in Namibia, Ambassador Penda Naanda said even though the last session between the two countries took place in 2011, the bilateral cooperation had not stagnated, but grew from strength to strength.

“This is evidenced by the multitude of joint programmes and projects agreed and implemented over that period, coupled with frequent high level reciprocal visits, the most recent of which was last month’s successful working visit to Namibia by your head of state,” he said.

He said the 6^th Session was therefore testament of the strong bonds of friendship and provided yet another impetus to consolidate the excellent bilateral relations, which had stood the test of time.

The session seeks to further strengthen the bilateral agreements by providing the opportunity for discussions on issues that are pertinent to the socio-economic development of the two countries. 

The ministerial segment will take place on February 18. Ends