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State visit by the President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi
A return visit: in February, Alain Berset had attended a kgotla, the traditional Botswanan assembly. On Sunday 30 April, the two presidents attend the Landsgemeinde of Appenzell Innerrhoden together, then visit the Kunsthalle Appenzell, a former brickworks.
On 1 May in Berne, the Federal Council receives President Masisi and his wife Neo Jane Masisi. Talks with Alain Berset, Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis, then signing of a declaration of intent on future cooperation, in particular in health, culture and the economy. Also on the agenda: the African Continental Free Trade Area, the EFTA–SACU agreement, the war in Ukraine and its effects on Africa.
In his speech, Alain Berset compares kgotlas and Landsgemeinden and cites Freedom House: the share of humanity living in democracy has fallen from 50% to 20% in ten years. Gala dinner at the Bernerhof.
Sunday 30 April 2023 — Appenzell
- Landsgemeinde of Appenzell Innerrhoden with President Masisi
- Visit to the Kunsthalle Appenzell
Monday 1 May 2023 — Berne
- Official welcome by the Federal Council
- Talks with the Federal Council delegation (Alain Berset, Guy Parmelin, Ignazio Cassis)
- Signing of a Switzerland–Botswana declaration of intent
- Gala dinner at the Bernerhof, speech
Speeches on this site
- Visite d’État du Président du Botswana, Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (in French, French-language page)
Sources