REMARKS BY THE JAMAICAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE, THE HON. A.J. NICHOLSON AT FRIDAY’S CLOSING OF THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE JAMAICA/BOTSWANA JOINT COMMISSION FOR COOPERATION H.E. the Hon. Phandu T. C. Skelemani, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of Botswana H.E. Mr. Charles Ntwaagae, High Commissioner of Botswana to Jamaica Ambassador Paul Robotham, Head of the Foreign Service and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade Distinguished Members of the Botswana and Jamaican delegations Ladies and Gentlemen It gives me great pleasure to stand before you once again, to bring to a close, two days of substantive discussions between the Government of Jamaica and the Government of the Republic of Botswana. I am confident that following our work over these two days, we have set ourselves on a course towards increased bilateral contact, and greater coordination and collaboration between our two governments and peoples. Based on the discussions, I am aware that agreement has been reached for the undertaking of study visits, the signing of MOUs; information exchange; benchmarking; and the sharing of experiences and best practices, among other avenues for cooperation. These run the gamut of our activities as governments: health; education; mining; trade and investment; human resource development; governance; sports; to name a few. During my remarks yesterday, I emphasised that the Jamaica-Botswana Joint Commission would be one of action; not just talk. In Jamaican patios we say: “Action, not a bag a mouth”. I am therefore pleased to note that for follow-up action we have identified the responsible ministries/agencies and importantly, we have set specific time frames within which those bodies must begin the initial follow-up. While these may not have been formally embedded in an agreement, the respective sides must commit themselves to a providing a swift response where they are tasked to do so. This will ensure that we are held accountable for the decisions we have agreed on today. Ladies and Gentlemen, in the present era, governance remains a pressing challenge. We are charged to do more, deliver more, innovate more, oftentimes with less. It is my view that it is only through establishing partnerships and sharing experiences that Governments can deliver better opportunities to, and improve the quality of life for, our citizens. The Jamaica-Botswana partnership is one such vehicle. As we bring these activities to a close, with the formal signing of the Joint Communiqué and the Agreed Minutes of the discussions over the past two days, I assure you that Jamaica is ready to begin the process of implementation, and is committed to continuing to nurture this important partnership with you our brothers and sisters from Botswana. To this end, I look forward to visiting Botswana in 2015, when the Jamaica/Botswana Joint Commission for Cooperation is next expected to meet. I am confident that, by then, we will be able to look back at this meeting with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Finally, allow me to extend to you, the delegates of the various Ministries and Agencies representing the Governments of Botswana and Jamaica, my gratitude for the hard work that you have put in over the past two days and in the months and weeks leading up to this Inaugural Meeting. Our positive discussions and agreements over the past two days have amply demonstrated that preparation is, indeed, the key to success. I would be remiss if I did not specifically commend the Bilateral Relations Department for their hard work to make this Inaugural Meeting a success. Once again, I thank you.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 13:24:56 +0000
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