Botswana-Algeria Collaboration vehicle to high income Status
Botswana and Algeria’s high income status ambitions could be realised through collaboration between the two states.
“Both our countries are in a hurry to reach high income status…Our solutions on reaching higher levels of development could be found in our cooperation, how to exploit to the maximum our natural resources; value chain addition.”
This was said by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi when receiving letters of credence from Algeria’s first ambassador extraordinary to Botswana at the Office of the President yesterday.
He said Mr Mouradi Adjabi’s appointment presented an opportunity for the two states, which had a long history of cooperation, to further strengthen their bilateral ties.
“We look forward to establishing a much stronger form of cooperation between Botswana and Algeria, and this is enhanced by this appointment. Your credentials give us the absolute confidence that this programme of action will resonate with the priority areas of our counties and where we stand to mutually benefit,” the President said.
Dr Masisi said there were many areas of possible cooperation the two states could pursue adding that for instance, Ambassador Adjabi’s presence could help Botswana have better access to Algerian institutions.
He said Botswana and Algeria shared values of human freedom expressed in their support for the liberation and self-determination of fellow African states.
The two states, the President said, continued to use multilateral platforms to promote global solidarity.
“What binds us together is the belief in the freedom of mankind. Even during the height of apartheid, when Botswana was almost wholly surrounded by hostile white minority ruled regimes, Algeria supported Botswana by donating oil and provided support in building the University of Botswana library. We will be eternally grateful for that,” said President Masisi.
For his part, Mr Adjabi said Botswana and Algeria could benefit from collaborating more in fields such as mining, agriculture, education, information communication technology and energy.
He expressed his country’s commitment to developing stronger ties with Botswana. ends
