Africa-Press – Angola. The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, expressed, this Saturday, Angola’s interest in continuing to work in a coordinated manner to expand and deepen cooperation with Botswana, for the implementation of common projects, both at bilateral level and at the national level. of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In a message sent to his counterpart and the people of Botswana, as part of the celebration of the 57th anniversary of this country’s national independence, the Angolan statesman highlights this country’s contribution to the development of the region.
“I am pleased to note, on this memorable date, Botswana’s important contribution to the development of our region and the role that your people, under your excellency’s leadership, have played in consolidating Botswana’s development process and the exemplary democracy that prevails in your country”, reads the message.
It should be remembered that, during the state visit to Botswana, in July of this year, the Angolan statesman stated, at the time, that Angola will count on Botswana’s experience in the production, transformation and marketing of diamonds.
In a joint press conference between the two Heads of State, João Lourenço had highlighted the reforms implemented in the diamond sector in that Southern African country.
For his part, the President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, considered, at the time, the state visit made to the country by his Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço, as “historic”.
Mokgweetsi Masisi highlighted the fact that President Lourenço’s state visit took place at a time when Angola is preparing to host the next ordinary SADC summit and assume the presidency of this regional organization based in the Tswanese capital, Gaborone.
During the visit, the two countries decided to institutionalize regular meetings on the revitalization of bilateral cooperation with the monitoring and execution of commitments assumed, to maintain regular political-dioplomatic consultations and bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The two countries also agreed to accelerate negotiations on pending agreements and memorandums of understanding, including the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (ABSA), to allow direct connection between Luanda and Gaborone, as well as strengthening cooperation and exploring comparative advantages and competitive in the political-diplomatic areas, oil and derivatives, energy and water and agriculture and livestock, in the diamond, tourism and environment sectors.
Bilateral cooperation
Angola and Botswana established diplomatic relations on February 18, 1976.
In February 2006, the two countries signed a General Cooperation Agreement.
In cooperation between Angola and Botswana, the diamond sector is a priority, along with education, health and the environment.
Botswana is a major producer of diamonds worldwide and Angola seeks the experience of this SADC member country in extraction and cutting.
Currently, Botswana’s diamond production accounts for around 60 percent of its exports.
On average, between 2002 and 2016, 26 million carats were produced per year, making Botswana the second largest diamond producer in the world, behind Russia.
Another important source of income for Botswana is ecotourism. This country has the largest concentration of elephants in the world (more than 50 thousand).
The country occupies 581 thousand square kilometers, 17 percent of this land is reserved for national parks. It also has immense virgin savannahs.
Located in Southern Africa, the territory of Botswana is landlocked and is limited to the North by Zambia, to the East by Zimbabwe, to the South by South Africa, to the West and Northwest by Namibia.
Regional integration
Angola and Botswana are part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The two countries are also part of the Okavango/Zambezi project, which also includes Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, covering a total of 278 thousand square kilometers.
The Okavango Basin is a region rich in biodiversity, with more than 400 species of birds, mammals and other animals typical of African fauna.
Angola has the second largest portion of the project, with 87 thousand square kilometers, behind Zambia, with 97 thousand square kilometers of land.
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