BNC cements BotswanaNamibia friendship
President Mokgweetsi Masisi says Botswana and Namibia have an immense responsibility to contribute to SADC tenets of promoting self- sustaining development and interdependence among the Member States.
The two countries are therefore called to steadfastly endeavour to conclude regional projects, such as the TransKalahari Railway Line, Water Desalination plant, as well as the One- Stop Border Posts at the Mamuno and the Trans- Kalahari border posts.
Masisi who was speaking at the Inaugural Botswana- Namibia Bi- National Commission in Gaborone implored all to concretise the signed instruments, while also expediting the conclusion of all pending issues.
“The elevation of our engagements to the BNC level, with a view to further advancing our bilateral agenda, cannot be over- emphasised. This is essentially because this platform also provides for us an opportunity to give high- level political guidance to the commitments made by our two countries,” Masisi said.
He stated that Botswana and Namibia remain the closest of friends. Consequently, the two countries continue to meet frequently at the highest political level of Heads of State and Government.
Masisi recalled meeting President Hage Geingob recently during the World Economic Forum ( WEF) in Davos, where they continued engaging on issues of mutual interest.
At the Ministerial level, the two countries have also had several exchanges, including between Foreign Ministers, Labour and Immigration Ministers, as well as Ministers of Sport.
A Draft Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) between the Zambezi Regional Council and Chobe District Council has since been discussed extensively at the Senior Officials level following extensive consultations, including joint visits to the Chobe/ Zambezi regions by the two countries’ Foreign Ministers.
Masisi urged officials from both countries to expedite its finalisation and signing. The MoU will strengthen the excellent historical relations between those regions, as well as the close cooperation between the two countries.
Other areas where notable progress was registered include the relocation of Batswana of Namibian descent; continued sale of vaccines to Namibia by the Botswana Vaccine Institute; renewal of the MoU between Botswana Oil Limited and the Namibia National Oil Corporation; and the construction of the patrol route/ firebreak along the Botswana- Namibia boundary.
Masisi applauded Ministers and Senior Officials of the two countries, for working hard to progress bilateral cooperation, thereby ensuring tangible outcomes of the inaugural session.
He said the BNC was an opportunity to take stock of progress made in the implementation of previous decisions; explore other potential areas of cooperation, and find solutions to the challenges that could possibly impede “our bilateral agenda”.