Catherine Sasman
14 October 2008
Windhoek — Botswana President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, made a one-day whirlwind call on his Namibian counterpart, President Hifikepunye Pohamba, to reinforce and strengthen the already cordial relations between the two countries.
Khama and his delegation touched down at Eros Airport yesterday morning and were met by President Pohamba, Prime Minister Nahas Angula, Foreign Affairs Minister Marco Hausiku and his deputy Lempy Lucas and other high-ranking officials.
This was Khama's first visit since assuming presidency on April 1 this year.
"I want to give my every assurance that during my term of office I have every intention to strengthen bonds with Namibia," said Khama.
The visit comes a day before the two countries hold the fourth session of the Namibia-Botswana Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation that starts today in Walvis Bay.
Botswana runs a dry port facility from Walvis Bay that is expected to be fully operational soon.
Pohamba said this facility would ultimately play an important role in the development of the economic infrastructure of the two countries, with clear benefits for the region and in the context of the Trans-Kalahari Highway Corridor, will open up both regional and international markets.
Delegations from the two countries met at the new State House where they held formal discussions on the countries' permanent joint commissions and the exploration of other cooperation avenues.
Immediately after Namibia's independence, the two countries established two joint permanent commissions to facilitate closer relations.
These commissions have since met annually and biannually to review progress and further their bilateral cooperation agenda.
The two countries are particularly cooperating in the areas of safety and security, transport, infrastructure development, education and training, agriculture and water resources, energy, wildlife and tourism. More cooperation is likely to be in the arts and culture sector.
Pohamba expressed satisfaction over progress that has been made in the joint 132 kilowatts Omaere-Ganzi power line that is supplying Botswana with electricity.
Another successful tri-partite venture - between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa - was the opening of the Mata-Mata border that facilitates greater movement particularly for tourism.
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