07 Apr 2013

The leader of Flanders region in Belgium, minister-president, Mr Kris Peeters says his government wants to tap into the cordial relations that exist between the two countries.

Mr Peeters paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Mr Phandu Skelemani on April 5. He also held discussions with the Minister of Agriculture and that of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources.

“It was my first visit to Botswana and a very positive one. It was important to meet with different ministers and we held several discussions and examined the possibility of working together in agriculture,” said Mr Peeters. Besides agriculture, he said, the Flanders region, which is the wealthiest part of Belgium, was interested in forging relations with Botswana in the diamond industry.

He also said Flanders possessed great knowledge in waste water management and would like to partner with Botswana in that regard. The minister-president’s visit followed an invitation by the government of Botswana, after President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama visited Belgium four years ago.

“Our relationship with Botswana is an excellent one. We understand each other well as two small countries with a lot of know-how on different fields,” said Mr Peeters. ENDS