GABORONE - Algeria's African and maghreb cooperation affairs minister, Mr Abdelkader Messahel recently visited Botswana as part of an African tour.

Mr Abdelkader and his delegation also met with the National Assembly deputy speaker, Mr Pono Moatlhodi and discussed the need to strengthen bilateral relations between Botswana and Algeria.

Briefing the delegation, Mr Moatlhodi said Botswana was a developing country with a multi-party democracy and a population of nearly two million.

"We are a mineral rich country, but maybe rich is not the right word. But at least we have abundant diamonds in this country," said Mr Moatlhodi.

"We also have basic infrastructure, schools, private schools, one university and we are on the verge of opening the second university which is a science and technology university in order to produce our own engineers and doctors," he added.

Mr Moatlhodi also promised the delegation that Botswana will render its support in strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries.

"We hope that we shall think together. This country has thought with you in the past and we shall continue to think with you along the way. So count on this country," he added.

For his part, Mr Messahel said the purpose his visit was to meet with officials to review the state of bilateral cooperation and the prospects of further developing and expanding them, in order to take full advantage of respective potentialities for a mutually beneficial partnership.

Before coming to Botswana, he visited Lesotho and South Africa and from Botswana he headed for Tanzania.

"I am here to listen to you, to learn from you and to share with you our bilateral interests. We are ready to go as far as possible in strengthening our relations with your country and that is my commitment," he said.

He added that, "this is a new beginning in our relationship. There is one governance - the international governance and Africa has to be part of this.

It is very important that we think together to have the same position and to defend our position."

Furthermore, the minister also noted that Botswana was one of the best countries in Africa, in terms of its economic stability, freedom, good governance and justice.

He stressed that cooperation and partnerships between countries were important for the future.

He said Botswana and Algeria should find ways to link their universities, saying there are 25 universities in Algeria - two of which he said were Science and Technology universities, adding that they will to open more doors for Batswana students to study in Algeria.

He also mentioned that Algeria was in the process of signing five agreements with Botswana on political consultation, non-double taxation, protection of investment, trade and commerce and establish a joint commission on the cooperation.

BOPA