Foreign Minister of Botswana is paying an official visit to Georgia
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Tuesday, June 4
On June 3-5, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Botswana Unity Dow is paying his first official visit to Georgia. Unity Dow is a well-known human rights defender, writer, and politician. In 2011-2012 the World Women's Summit named her in the list of world's most influential 150 women.
On June 3, Botswana FA Minister held a meeting with Davit Zalkaliani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. After the meeting Ministers made comments at the joint press conference. According to Zalkaliani, the primary subjects of the discussion were the reforms that are underway in strengthening democratic institutions, and the security challenges.
"To better understand the reforms implemented in Georgia, it is important that we cooperate regarding these reforms, and I think that the goal of the current visit is the same. The minister will have the opportunity to visit the House of Justice and see the public administration reforms herself. We have a lot to share in this viewpoint," Davit Zalkaliani said.
According to Zalkaliani, Botswana and Georgia successfully cooperate within the framework of international organization formats, and there are no problems in bilateral relations either. He noted that it is essential to observe the principles of international law on all issues that are relevant for the Republic of Botswana and Georgia and to have mutual understanding and support. Foreign Minister also addressed the situation regarding the occupied territories of Georgia.
"At today's meeting, I introduced the Minister to the situation in Georgia, the reforms that are underway in strengthening democratic institutions, we also talked about security challenges, the situation in the occupied territories and the peace policy that we have. We discussed the economic reforms implemented by the government as well as the next bilateral cooperation activities, and I'm sure this visit will serve the purpose of advancing bilateral relations," said the Minister of FA of Georgia.
According to Unity Dow, Botswana and Georgia understand that the voice of each country is important. "I am very happy and honored to have such long traditions and old-fashioned, 8,000-year tradition of wine-making. I appreciate Georgia as well as discussions and your warm words. I can tell you on behalf of my government that we are deepening relations by going beyond politics and directing towards culture, agriculture, health care, and education. When these sectors merge each other, we receive a network of mutual voices," said Unity Dow at the press conference.
Dow also talked referred to the international cooperation and its importance: "In Botswana, there is a belief that it's not enough for the country to hamper in its region. It's very important to connect with other countries over the ocean. We understand that we have the rights and obligations to contribute to the development of the world. Since my country's president came to power last year, he (Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of Botswana) has been paying visits not only to neighboring countries but also far from Botswana, because the world is asking us to work together. Our children and grandchildren should live in a world where small countries have their say," Foreign Minister of Botswana told the media.
Within the visit, the Botswana delegation will meet with President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili, Chairman of Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava. The delegation will also honor the memory of the warriors who died for the unity of Georgia at the memorial of the heroes. The Botswana delegation will also visit the occupation line near Tserovani IDP settlement and the village of Khurvaleti.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Botswana is the confirmation of the friendly relations between the two countries and the mutual support.
Diplomatic relations between Georgia and the Republic of Botswana were established in 2010. In March of the current year, a ten-member delegation from Botswana held an introductory meeting in Georgia to share information regarding the reforms that were implemented here.
