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Presidential visit to Botswana
The first visit by a President of the Swiss Confederation to Botswana. Alain Berset discusses bilateral relations and global issues with President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi: cooperation at the UN, democracy and human rights, Russia’s war in Ukraine. With Foreign Minister Lemogang Kwape, he signs a declaration of intent on health cooperation.
He visits the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, where the Omicron variant was first sequenced. At SADC, he meets the Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi. On the economy, he argues for sustainability clauses in the modernisation of the EFTA–SACU free trade agreement. He announces several trips to Africa during his presidential year, linked to Switzerland’s mandate on the Security Council.
Monday 6 February 2023 — Gaborone
- Welcome at the airport by President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, military honours
- Cultural evening and dinner at the National Museum, in the presence of President Masisi
Tuesday 7 February 2023 — Gaborone
- Meeting with President Masisi, followed by talks between the delegations
- Signing of a declaration of intent on cooperation in the field of health
- Visit to the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership and round table on the geopolitics of pathogens
- Visit to the Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital
- Courtesy visit to the Acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Phandu Skelemani
- Meeting with Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of SADC
- State banquet
Wednesday 8 February 2023 — Tlokweng and Gaborone
- Kgotla of Tlokweng, traditional assembly, address by Alain Berset
- Opening of the Botswana–Switzerland symposium on trade and investment
- Joint press conference with President Masisi
- Departure ceremony
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