Africa-Press – Botswana. The solid and reliable friendship between Botswana and France has guided the two countries in their endeavour to achieve closer collaboration and cooperation for the mutual economic and political success.
Speaking at the France National Day celebrations in Gaborone recently, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Gladys Mokhawa said it was befitting to associate with the day and celebrate it with the French people because it represented all for liberty, equality and democracy.
“It is imperative that we reflect on the excellent and beneficial relations that we have had and continue to enjoy since Botswana and France established diplomatic relations, more than half a century ago,” she said.
Dr Mokhawa said it was not a coincidence that the relations had flourished as they had thus far and the unrelenting adherence to common values of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights had been and would remain a pillar of continued success.
“I have no doubt that our friendly countries will continue to work closely together in their quest for sustainable development and upliftment of the living standards of our peoples,” she said. “Let me take this opportunity to thank the government and people of France for the development assistance and technical support that they have over the past years continuously rendered to Botswana.”
She also said Botswana remained highly indebted to France’s support in various areas of cooperation including, education, environment and energy, peace and security, food security, health, research, science and technology.
She added that Botswana’s participation at the International Forum on the African Continent (FICA) and at the 54th International Paris Air Show in June this year demonstrated the mutual desire and commitment to bolster the cordial relations.
She further said signing of an agreement on cooperation between the Paris School of Jewellery and the Oodi College of Applied Arts and Technology last year, the Letter of Intent (LoI) on Cooperation in Agriculture between Botswana and France in 2021 and the opening of Botswana Embassy in Paris in 2019, were also some of the milestones that would catapult the relations to greater heights for the mutual benefit.
“It will be remiss of me if I fail to commend France for her continued efforts to promote peace and security throughout the world, particularly in Africa,” she added. “In the SADC region, France continues to offer support to Mozambique in addressing terrorism attacks in the country’s northern Cabo Delgado Province. I wish to express my sincere gratitude for France’s solidarity with our region.
”Dr Mokhawa said France’s support and commitment to an effective and inclusive multilateralism that aimed to achieve sustainable solutions to the common challenges of time and the world required direction, guidance and leadership of great countries like France to end the rampant conflicts that were currently bedeviling the world, such as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.She said: “The war requires concerted global effort to bring it to an end for it threatens to reverse the significant economic strides that have been achieved over a long period of time. It is sad that while the world has been trying to recover from the negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic and now have to deal with the challenges of the war, which are affecting the macro-economic recovery efforts.”
MR Olivier Brochenin, the French Ambassador to Botswana, said cooperation of the two was in line with Botswana’s need for a knowledge-based society.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
