10 Nov 2013

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has commended the visiting EU delegation for engaging Botswana in the preparations for the EU-Africa Summit scheduled for Belgium from April 2-3 next year.

A Communiqué from the Office of the President stated that Mr Masisi, who is Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, recently met with the European Union director for the Horn of Africa, Eastern, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean, Ambassador Koen Vervaeke, who was accompanied by the Head of the EU delegation to Botswana, Ambassador Gerard McGovern.

The Communiqué stated that the focus of the discussions was the EU-Africa Summit. However,  the meeting also provided an opportunity to share views on other issues of mutual interest, including political developments in the region. It also stated that Minister Masisi appreciated the difficulty faced by the EU following the financial crisis and hoped that it would not derail the smooth roll out of the 11th European Development Fund. 

The delegation was assured of Botswana’s support as well as continued engagement with SADC to resolve political difficulties and exercise flexibility where appropriate in relation to conflict resolution in the region.

The Communiqué also stated that Ambassador Vervaeke indicated that Botswana was his first stop on his assignment to sensitise governments on the ongoing preparations for the EU-Africa Summit.  The Ambassador commended Botswana’s leadership in such areas as human rights and the strengthening of global good governance and expressed hope that the summit would lead to greater cooperation in such areas.

The Communiqué further stated that while the European Union was still recovering from the 2008 economic crisis, it looked forward to the successful completion of the Economic Partnership Agreements.  Parallel to the summit will be business as well as Non-Governmental forums. Ends