Speeches

PRESS RELEASE

Foreign Affairs Minister Meets with his Botswana Counterpart

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cde Simbarashe S. Mumbengegwi MP, met with his Botswana counterpart, Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafhe on the 21 st of February 2006 in Gaborone. The two ministers held talks on a wide-range of issues, including bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Botswana, current developments in SADC, the African Union (AU), the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) and the United Nations (UN). The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Botswana later hosted a dinner in honour of his Zimbabwean counterpart. In his remarks at the dinner, Minister Mumbengegwi hailed the brotherly relations that exist between the two countries. He also saluted the Government and people of Botswana for their contribution to Zimbabwe's struggle for independence. Minister Mumbengegwi noted the need for the two countries to work together, especially through the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, to address bilateral and regional challenges. In the transport sector, the Minister highlighted the importance of a good road network linking the two countries which is essential in facilitating the smooth movement of both goods and people. In this regard Minister Mumbengegwi hailed the signing of the Road Transport Agreement which, among other things, harmonises road user charges and the construction of roads and bridges linking the two countries. He also welcomed the signing of the Bilateral Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation by the two countries which promote and facilitate cross-border trade, investment and cooperation in tax matters.

After the one day official visit Minister Mumbengegwi will lead the Zimbabwe delegation to the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting which will be held in Gaborone, Botswana from 23 - 24 February 2006. The Zimbabwe delegation will be comprised of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cde Simbarashe S. Mumbengegwi; the Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr Herbert Murerwa; the Honourable Minister of Energy and Power Development, Lt. Gen. Mike Nyambuya, the

Honourable Minister of Industry and International Trade, Cde Obert Mpofu; and senior government officials.

The SADC Council of Ministers will discuss, among other issues, infrastructure and services development, food security, trade, implementation of NEPAD programmes, relations with the international community as well as preparations for the SADC Consultative Conference, which will be held in Windhoek, Namibia from 26 - 27 April 2006 under the theme "Partnership for the Implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Plan and Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ." SADC Ministers will also sign the Revised Intergovernmental Southern African Power Pool Memorandum of Agreement on 23 February 2006.

C. Nzenza (Spokesperson)

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

22 February 2006