06 Jul 2022

Botswana and Poland have over the years maintained a progressive, collegial, and friendly disposition bilaterally, and have enjoyed each other’s support at various multilateral fora, says Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Lemogang Kwape. 

He was speaking on the occasion of the working visit by Poland Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Pawel Jablonski Tuesday.

 Minister Kwapi said opportunity existed to elevate the scope of cooperation to include innovation, education, fourth industrial revolution, artistic expression, theatre and classics, sport, and culture. 

He said significant progress in enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries had been made since President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s visit to Poland in 2018, particularly in the areas of investment promotion missions, potential investments and partnerships in the health sector. 

“This is by definition, is a solid rock upon which the foundation of our friendly relations has sustained and continue to blossom particularly that Botswana has concluded internal processes and consideration of the draft Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations between Botswana and Poland,” he said. 

At a bilateral level, Dr Kwape said the two countries enjoyed cordial relations characterised by mutual respect for international law, human rights, and democracy adding that the working visit created an opportunity to focus on essential outcomes that could strengthen the two countries bilateral cooperation. 

Dr Kwape said government commended and congratulated Poland for their unwavering support, protection and compassion towards the displaced nationals of Ukraine due to the ongoing Russia/Ukraine conflict.

 “This is a show of compassion that as member states we must continue to show throughout our engagements in the UN Human Rights Council and the Security Council. 

Our own citizens who were in Ukraine at the commencement of the war, found smooth passage to safety, through Poland. 

For that, we are grateful for the support and assistance to them,” Dr Kwape said.

 However, Mr Jablonski said Poland was committed to nurture its bilateral relation with Botswana, be it political or business relations. 

He said Poland thus had strengthened her foreign policy with the aim of creating a stable and sustainable system of international relations based on the generally accepted norms of international law and principles of equal rights, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs of states.

On the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict he said: “The Russia/Ukraine conflict carries negative global economic ramifications and economic stability through an increase inflation and commodity prices,” he said. 

He added it was imperative for countries to work together if they were to deliver on the noble aspirations of mankind through the promotion of people-to-people diplomacy. 

Mr Jablonski therefore said there was also need for the world to cohesively work together toward attainment of world peace and economic stability.ENDS