Djuric: Botswana supports Serbia’s position on Kosovo; Butale: We share the same values

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric stated today that Botswana supports Serbia’s position on Kosovo, for which he expressed special gratitude, noting that the two countries share an understanding of the need to respect international law as the foundation for preserving peace in the world. Botswana’s Minister of International Affairs, Phenyo Butale, emphasized that his country and Serbia share the same values, especially when it comes to respecting international law and preserving territorial integrity.

“Botswana has returned the friendship by supporting our position on the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija, and we are particularly grateful to Botswana for its support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia,” Djuric said at a joint press conference after his meeting with Botswana’s Minister of International Affairs Phenyo Butale.

He also said that he informed his colleague about the current situation in Kosovo.

“Serbia and Botswana share a broader understanding of the need to respect international law as the foundation for preserving peace and equality in the world, which is extremely important in today’s circumstances,” Djuric said.

He underlined that today’s visit by Minister Butale is the first visit of a foreign minister of Botswana to Serbia.

He added that strengthening ties with the peoples and states of the African continent is a major priority for Serbia.

“Botswana and Serbia share a 55–year friendship that began when our country and Botswana jointly supported the liberation of the African continent. This meeting represents not only confirmation of the long friendship between the two countries, but also a new impulse for cooperation within the broader strategy for mutual connectivity, through the deepening of political, economic, cultural and overall ties,” the Serbian foreign minister said.

He noted that Serbia had been very present in Botswana, as companies from Serbia had built important structures in Gaborone, and that there is also a Church of Saint Sava located there.

He invited the guests to participate in Expo 2027, reminding them that 130 countries had already confirmed their participation.

He added that tomorrow in Belgrade the “Wine Vision” fair opens, which, as the minister said, is “a true Mecca for wine lovers and producers”, and suggested that the delegation from Botswana visit it.

“We would be glad to introduce you to our oenological, gastronomic and general culture,” Minister Djuric added.

Butale: We share the same values, we respect international law

Botswana’s Minister of International Affairs Phenyo Butale stated that his country and Serbia share the same values, and that they hold the same positions regarding respect for international law and territorial integrity.

“Serbia is a country that has rich experience in relations with Africa, a country that always stood by Africa during the struggle for independence. It is a country that has close ties with Africa. We share common values, we hold the same positions regarding respect for international law and in connection with territorial integrity,” Butale underlined.

He pointed out that the most famous Serb, Nikola Tesla, thanks to whom our modern world is illuminated, proved that even small nations can shape the destiny of all humankind.

Butale emphasized that Botswana wishes to foster precisely that spirit of innovation and, in this regard, would like to enhance cooperation in the fields of science, art and diplomacy.

“We want to further deepen our relations in order to achieve the ambitious plans we have as a state. We recognize Serbia as a nation that has advanced education and scientific excellence. We also invest heavily in education. Schooling is free in Botswana, and in that area we would like cooperation with Serbia,” he added.

Butale said that Botswana wants to improve economic cooperation, to build the future together with Serbia through creativity, new technologies and human potential.

“We have meaningful cooperation and friendship, and I am pleased that you even have an Africa Day that you celebrate. We look forward to new ways and forms of cooperation. Botswana is a small country in the southern part of Africa. We are known for diamonds and beef that we export to Europe, but we are also a nation undergoing transformation. We want to industrialize. We are undergoing rapid industrialization and would like your businesspeople to open their offices and participate in our economy,” Butale said.

He stated that there is great potential in the mining sector, as only 30 percent of the territory has been surveyed in this regard.

“There is a lot of potential in agriculture, digitalization and many other spheres. Our conversation focused precisely on our joint engagement. We want to learn from Serbia’s experience,” he said, adding that work on signing a cooperation framework had been agreed upon.

Butale underlined that since the two countries believe in the same system of values, they will cooperate within that framework in the international arena.

“I hope for even greater interaction between our peoples through student exchanges. I look forward to deepening and strengthening relations with Serbia,” Botswana’s Minister of International Affairs said.