Gaborone – The European Union and Botswana held their annual Partnership Dialogue this week, with EU Ambassador to Botswana and SADC Petra Pereyra leading the occasion and reflecting on four and a half decades of cooperation between the two sides.
The dialogue brought together ambassadors from France, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain, alongside representatives from the embassies of Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Poland, reflecting what Pereyra described as a Team Europe commitment to the partnership.
The meeting carried added significance this year, coinciding with the 45th anniversary of EU-Botswana relations, the 10th anniversary of the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement and Botswana’s upcoming 60th anniversary of independence. 
“Sixty years of independence reflects Botswana’s stability, democratic values, and steady development, making it an inspiring example across Africa and beyond. The European Union is proud to count Botswana as a trusted partner and friend,” Pereyra said.
She pointed to the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement as a key pillar of the relationship, noting that the free trade agreement gives Botswana goods duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market, supporting exports, competitiveness, job creation and economic diversification. The agreement equally benefits other SADC member states, including Eswatini.
Pereyra said the EU remains Africa’s largest trading partner, leading investor and largest provider of development and humanitarian aid, as well as the biggest contributor to the African Union budget.
She said recent months had seen the launch of new programmes in Botswana covering democracy and civil society support, biodiversity conservation, research and academic mobility, green energy, digital transformation and green value chains in eco-tourism and horticulture.
On regional matters, Pereyra said the EU’s Global Gateway strategy was backing sustainable infrastructure, green energy, digital transformation and inclusive growth across Southern Africa, including through flagship initiatives such as strategic corridors and the NaturAfrica programme, both of which benefit Botswana directly.
“In a world marked by uncertainty and shifting alliances, the European Union remains a strong, reliable, and predictable partner for Botswana. Together, we can deliver meaningful results for our peoples and uphold the fundamental values we both share,” she said.
