The Prime Minister of Australia the Hon Kevin Rudd MP and the President of the Republic of Botswana LTGEN Seretse Khama Ian Khama met on 1 March 2010. They agreed that this visit to Australia by the President of Botswana symbolised the growing substance of the bilateral relationship, which is built on close cooperation in the Commonwealth, strong people to people links and increasing trade and investment collaboration.
The Prime Minister and President underlined the warm and genuine friendship between the two countries. They noted the successful visits to Botswana by the Foreign Minister of Australia, the Hon Stephen Smith, in January 2010, and to Australia by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Botswana, the Hon Phandu Skelemani, in June 2009.
The Prime Minister and the President agreed that, as two nations committed to democracy and increasing prosperity through trade and international economic engagement, Australia and Botswana had a shared interest in contributing to international affairs. The Prime Minister welcomed Botswana's support for Australia's bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The President noted that Australia's active involvement in international affairs meant it was well placed to make a strong contribution to the work of the Security Council.
The leaders noted the significance to both countries of their mining and resource sectors, and the opportunities that afforded for closer collaboration.
The Prime Minister and the President noted the interests Australia and Botswana share on many global challenges. They:
* Underlined their concern regarding the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on global warming, and confirmed their shared commitment to the implementation of the Copenhagen Accord and working collaboratively in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for a global agreement on climate change; and
* Noted that the coordinated policy responses by the G20 have supported the first signs of a global economic recovery and the G20 is committed to taking into account the views of African countries.
The two leaders expressed their ongoing concern about the challenges facing Zimbabwe. They:
* Agreed that while there has been some progress since the formation of Zimbabwe's Inclusive Government in February 2009, there remained an urgent need for further reforms in governance, the rule of law and human rights;
* Called on all parties to Zimbabwe's Global Political Agreement to adhere fully to their commitments and engage in genuine power-sharing; and
* Agreed to consider further opportunities to assist the people of Zimbabwe.
To build on the already strong foundation of the bilateral relationship, the Prime Minister and President committed to broaden cooperation across a wide spectrum of shared interests. To take forward this commitment, the Prime Minister and the President:
* Underlined their shared commitment to strengthened high-level engagement;
* Agreed to encourage expanded trade and investment links, including through education, tourism, and natural resources;
* Welcomed Australia's continued commitment to Botswana's development, including:
a. A new $1.1 million research program, implemented through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research to assist Botswana's small scale cattle farmers;
b. The expansion of the Australian Government volunteer program to include Botswana in 2010-11;
c. A two year $500,000 extension of support in bushfire prevention and management;
d. A two year $250,000 extension of support in plant biosecurity and quarantine assistance;
e. Continuation of Australia's Development Scholarships Program to Botswana, noting the 2010 allocation of ten scholarships in priority areas determined in consultation with the Government of Botswana;
f. Continuation of Australia's extractive industries fellowship program to Botswana;
g. Ongoing legal capacity building assistance through regional Africa programs implemented by the Australian Federal Police, the Attorney-General's Department and the Australian Transaction Report and Analysis Centre;
h. Strengthening Botswana's trade negotiation capacity, particularly within the context of the World Trade Organization Doha Round; and
i. Continuing cooperation in peace and security, including by offering positions for Batswana officers in short-term Australian Defence Force training courses in Australia.
The Prime Minister looked forward to working closely with Botswana in preparation for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2011, and to welcoming the President to Perth for the meeting.