Luanda – Angolan President João Lourenço returned Saturday to Luanda from Botswana, following a two-day state visit to that southern African country.
The Angolan Head of State was welcomed at Luanda’s international airport by the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança Costa, members of the Executive and presidential aides.
In Botswana, the Angolan statesman met with Mokgweetsi Masisi to review bilateral cooperation relations.
The meeting of the two heads of state was followed by official talks between the delegations of the two countries before a joint press conference.
During the press conference, the Angolan statesman said that Angola will rely on Botswana's experience in the production, processing and commercialization of diamonds.
Lourenço highlighted the reforms implemented in the diamond sector in that southern African country and considered it an example for Angola to follow.
Botswana President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, on his turn, said he considered it "historic", the visit of the Angolan counterpart João Lourenço to his country.
Mokgweetsi Masisi highlighted the fact that President Lourenço's state visit took place at a time when Angola is preparing to host the next ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit and take up the presidency of this regional organisation based in the Tswanese capital, Gaborone.
During the visit, President João Lourenço was honoured with a state dinner, an event that marked the end of the visit.
Bilateral cooperation
Angola and Botswana established diplomatic relations on February 18, 1976.
In February 2006, the two countries signed a General Cooperation Agreement.
Areas of cooperation
Angola and Botswana relation is mainly focused on diamond, education, health and the environment.
Botswana is a major producer of diamonds worldwide and Angola seeks the expertise of this SADC member country in mining and cutting.
Currently, Botswana's diamond production accounts for about 60 per cent of its exports.
On average, 26 million carats were produced per year between 2002 and 2016, making Botswana the world's second largest diamond producer behind Russia.
Another important source of income for Botswana is ecotourism. Botswana has the largest concentration of elephants in the world (over 50,000).
The country covers 581,000 square kilometres, 17 per cent of which is reserved for national parks. It also has immense virgin savannahs.
Located in southern Africa, Botswana is landlocked and bordered to the north by Zambia, to the east by Zimbabwe, to the south by South Africa, and to the west and north-west by Namibia.
Regional integration
Angola and Botswana are members of the SADC community and part of the Okavango/Zambeze project, which also includes Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, covering a total of 278,000 square kilometres.
The Okavango Basin is a region rich in biodiversity, with more than 400 species of birds, mammals and other animals typical of African fauna.
Angola has the second largest portion of the project, with 87,000 square kilometres, behind Zambia, with 97,000 square kilometres of land. AL/Amp/jmc
