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From 6 July 2006, a graphic version of the current edition is available at the Daily News Online web site.

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Skelemani, who is the acting minister for foreign affairs and international co-operation, said last Thursday at a combined ceremony to welcome the new Zambian High Commissioner to Botswana, Mwamutenta Musakabantu, and bid farewell to the outgoing UNDP Resident Representative, Bjoern Foerde.

I have no doubt that this objective will continue to guide our relations and inspire us to endeavour to reach even greater heights in our co-operation with Zambia and the United Nations, he said.

With regard to Zambia, Skelemani said from time immemorial it has enjoyed cordial relations with Botswana, which have been characterised by exchanges at all levels.

He pledged Botswanas readiness to work with you to advance our relations for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples.

He said the unifying elements between Botswana and Zambia are a shared cultural and historical heritage and a commonality of interests which have served as a rock solid foundation upon which their relations are built.

We also have in place mechanisms such as the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation as well as the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security which have served us well as vehicles for enhancing our relations, noted the minister.

Turning to Foerde, Skelemani said the UN diplomat was leaving behind achievements upon which his successors will build.

Thanks to your zeal for perfection and commitment to whatever you set out to do, a lot was achieved in various areas on which we worked with your office, he said.

Significant among such, he said, are the various capacity-building programmes, which have benefited both government and the community at large.

That support included funding some workshops as well as active participation in the technical committees set up to deal with the United Nations on international humanitarian law, he added.

Notable among Foerdes achievements was that the ministry of froreign affairs managed to produce two national reports on human rights instruments.

These are the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination.

With the help of UNDP under Foerdes leadership, the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs is in the process of producing the National report on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

Foerde was also hailed for having used all opportunities available to address the nation on various themes and issues such as HIV/AIDS, environmental issues and the Millennium Development Goals.

Thanks to these initiatives, more of our people have a better appreciation of the United Nations and what it stands for, Skelemani said.

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