25 Aug 2014

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Phandu Skelemani has described the European Union ambassador as a true friend who has helped to cement bilateral relations between his organisation and Botswana.

Speaking during a luncheon to bid farewell to Mr Gerard McGovern, Minister Skelemani said the ambassador had nurtured the various aspects of the Botswana-EU relationships.

“He has built and maintained rapport with stakeholders within the government enclave and outside, reaching out to the business and non-governmental olrganisations) communities,” he said.

Minister Skelemani said Ambassador McGovern also ensured that the Botswana-EU dialogue remains an annual calendar meeting between Botswana stakeholders and the EU delegation, which has been deferred this year because of the upcoming elections.

He said the EU Ambassador was also instrumental in the work for the Centre for Development Enterprise Office (CDE) in Botswana through which small and medium scale enterprises are supported by the EU.

The Ambassador also played a role in the conclusion of the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) which had remained elusive for 10 years.“

We are grateful that as you depart, the country is virtually guaranteed duty free, quota free access of its exports into the EU market,” he said

The minister said this was important to Batswana as the beef sector has been traditionally Botswana’s main export to the EU.Ambassador McGovern was also EU representative to SADC and also helped cement the strong ties between SADC and the EU, exemplified by the successful political dialogue between SADC and the EU in 2013 in Maputo and Brussels early this year.

Such a dialogue has been instrumental in discussions on the Regional Indicative Programme (RIP) and the disbursement of funds which go towards joint infrastructural regional programmes,” he said.

For his part, Ambassador McGovern said he was pleased that the EU has been able to respond favourably to government’s request for support in the field of wildlife and conservation.

“Equally, I am pleased that we can support Botswana through one of our largest education sector support programmes in the region to improve performance in that critical sector,” he said.

He also expressed hope that in health, the work they were doing would help accelerate Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in relation to children’s and women’s health.

Ambassador McGovern said he was pleased with the assistance they offer to the small and medium enterprises in the country and the European Investment Bank was at an advanced stage of appraising a substantial line of credit to the sector in the country.

He praised Botswana for its good track record and role it plays in upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law. “Botswana continues to be a highly principled partner on the international stage whether it is in the realm of human rights, the upholding of democracy, or the rule of law,” he said.

He commended Botswana which chairs the SADC EPA group for its patience, careful handling of the negotiations and steadfast commitment to free trade. The EU Ambassador said the recently concluded EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) would enhance the development prospects of the region and lay the foundation for economic partnership.

“I am convinced that the removal of barriers to trade and the creation of a larger regional market are vital for the long-term success of landlocked, small population Botswana,” he said.Botswana is a member of the UN Human Rights Council along with several members of the EU. 


Ambassador McGovern has been in Botswana for three years and plans to retire at the end of his tour.  Ends