I would like to welcome you, Your Excellency and your delegation, on your State Visit to the Maltese Islands.
Your Excellency,
Your State visit to Malta is an occasion for us to encourage, enhance and strengthen the bilateral relations that exist between the Republic of Botswana and the Republic of Malta.
Let us also use this occasion to create greater awareness among our respective societies, to highlight new opportunities for investment and expansion within our public and private sectors.
While diplomatic relations between our nations were recently established in 2005, there are many areas of mutual connection, which already unite our peoples. These include our shared focus on innovation and development, alongside our mutual membership within the Commonwealth of Nations.
This was evident in the Prime Minister of Malta’s visit to Botswana, in June 2015, to participate in the Commonwealth Conference for local governments, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Malta.
For this reason, Malta looks forward to continued cooperation with Botswana, not only on a bilateral basis, but also within the Commonwealth. It is thanks to this strong relationship that we are linked together, by our common values of democratic participation, the protection of human rights and safeguarding the rule of law.
Furthermore, alongside these social and political values, I am confident that an important move forward in our relations shall be the signing of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between Malta and Botswana.
This important development shall further boost economic benefits on both sides. Practical discussions on economic collaboration can subsequently take place, which will more fully explore the trade potential that exists between our countries and engender greater closeness between our respective business communities.
I must therefore, take this opportunity to commend Botswana, for maintaining one of the world’s highest economic growth rates since 1966. I also note that trade between Malta and Botswana consisted mainly of printed books, reaching 2.6 million euros in
2016.
Malta is ready to take these economic opportunities to the next level, by exploring strategies which diversify and promote bilateral trade with Botswana.
Such strategies are particularly timely, in light of the stimulus plan announced by the authorities of Botswana, to boost the economy through projects in agricultural production, construction, manufacturing and tourism development.
Malta is ideally placed to offer its expertise in such sectors, including the tourism, hospitality and travel industries. Tourism offers an ideal context for the promotion of friendships and connections between different groups, through the celebration of diversity.
Let me also state that Malta welcomes the positive and constructive relationship that is flourishing between Botswana and the European Union. We look forward to more cooperation between our nations, to enhance peace, security and prosperity across our regions.
The Union’s cooperation strategy with Botswana is a stepping stone to achieve new and dynamic relations, between Botswana and the European Union.
In light of these commitments, Malta remains fully committed towards long-term sustainable development. These aspirations are in line with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its seventeen Sustainable Development Goals.
Malta firmly believes that it is important to participate in the efforts being made by the international community in the field of development assistance, with the primary objective of eradicating poverty. However, we must take positive steps to promote good governance and respect for human rights, especially when it comes to the wellbeing of both present and future generations.
For this reason, Malta welcomes the emphasis being placed on Youth and Employment at the upcoming European Union-African Union Summit. The theme of the summit is also of relevance to Botswana and in this regard, Malta is appreciative of the efforts undertaken by the authorities of Botswana, over the past years, to improve the wellbeing of young people in Botswana.
Malta reiterates its commitment, together with the European Union, to ensure a successful outcome of the Summit, that would develop into concrete and tangible results, for the young and future generations of our African partners. This must necessarily consider the realities of human movement patterns, which are currently increasing.
Where the phenomenon of migration is concerned, Malta has, over its years of experience as a country of transit and destination, learnt that migration cannot be addressed unilaterally. We must focus on cooperation, both among European countries and African countries, to find a common position to the challenges and opportunities of migration.
Therefore, Malta commends Botswana for its efforts in addressing irregular migration, particularly human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants, following the adoption by Parliament of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act in 2014 and the establishment of the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee in January 2016.
We believe it is essential that the content of the New York Declaration is not watered down in the Global Compacts. Malta counts on Botswana’s support to achieve the post positive outcomes of the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migrants, which shall be agreed in 2018.
Let me therefore, conclude by saying that there must be a concerted effort, on behalf of European and African nations, to play an active role in promoting a comprehensive approach to migration. We must uphold international principles, a sense of global solidarity and sustainable investment, to ensure that the best interests of all affected individuals, families and communities, are met.
I am confident that such a focus, on the dignity of each person, both migrants and citizens, is a cornerstone of the commitment that Malta and Botswana feel to safeguard the wellbeing of all.
Your Excellency, President Khama,
I strongly believe that the friendship between Malta and Botswana shall continue to flourish and to grow, for many years to come.
May our friendship always be a source of strength and confidence, for the mutual benefit of both our peoples and the prosperity of the forthcoming generations.
Let us raise our glasses, to drink to the health of President Khama and to the people of Malta and Botswana.