Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana and Lesotho have agreed to revitalise their bilateral cooperation by signing a Bi-National Commission (BNC).
Both countries were concerned that the Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation had not made progress previously, therefore they agreed to expedite the implementation of the BNC objectives.
The BNC instrument will guide the strategic partnership between Botswana and Lesotho, promote economic integration, cooperation in the field of trade, water, tourism, agriculture, mining, education and diplomatic consultations.
The BNC was signed by Minister for International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale and Lesotho’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Lejone Mpotjoane with the leaders of the two countries President Adv Duma Boko and Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekane witnessing the ceremony.
In his remarks, Dr Butale said there was need to streamline the agreements to move away from agreeing to several agreements without timely milestones to ensure implementation.
He said focused intent was necessary even for accountability and monitoring of the progress of the agreements, hence it would be beneficial to meet on yearly basis.
“We are in a hurry as Botswana to industrialise and create jobs and hurried implementation is crucial,” he said. He called for heightened closer relations between the two nations in order to navigate the complex geopolitical situation that the two countries face together.
Furthermore, Dr Butale said it was important to ensure that relations between the two that had existed for many years were intensified.
In the same vein, Mr Mpotjoane said Botswana and Lesotho shared strong historic ties from way back.
He said the two countries through the BNC would collaborate in areas of education, culture, tourism and mining, among others.
Mr Mpotjoane f said the newly signed instrument would further enable the two nations to expand more on areas that were unexplored.
He also said that through the BNC, the Lesotho, Botswana Water Transfer would be fast-tracked.
The objective of the BNC is to establish a framework within which the parties would conduct their relations.
It would further serve as a platform for high level discussions, reviews of existing agreements and identification of new areas of cooperation. The agreement further provides for the establishment of sectoral committee to span across all ministries and sectors of government in various areas of cooperation.
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