President Jacob Zuma to lead South Africa Delegation to the 5th Bi-National Commission, 25 – 26 May 2010.

President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, will lead a South African delegation to the 5th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and Algeria scheduled for 25 and 26 May 2010.

The visit to Algeria comes within the framework of the consolidation of the African Agenda and the 5th Session of the Bi-National Commission will serve as a platform for the two Heads of State to discuss broad bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest to the two countries.

The Bi-National Commission was established by the Agreement of 22 September 2000 as a structured framework for co-operation, to promote political and socio-economic relations between the Republic of South Africa and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. Six Technical Working Groups will report on progress made regarding the programmes of action agreed to. The technical groups are:

• Quality of Life and Human Resources
• People-to-people co-operation
• Energy and Infrastructure
• Natural Resources
• Defence and Security
• Trade and Investment

The bilateral relations and co-operation between the two countries have contributed to the elevation of the Joint Bi-National Commission to a full presidential level and further culminated in the conclusion of 26 bilateral agreements to date.

The Fifth Session of the BNC is preceded by a Senior Officials Meeting which took place in South Africa from 30 – 31 March 2010. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Mr Mourad Medelci, Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the plenary session for the Senior Officials Meeting on 31 March 2010. The respective Ministers are charged within the framework of the BNC to facilitate the implementation of this programme.

It is expected that the Bi-National Commission will further provide an opportunity for all outstanding Agreements and Programmes of Action between the two countries to be finalised.

For more information contact Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Saul Kgomotso Molobi, on +27 82 940 1647, +27 82 940 4396, +27 12 351 1000 or email: molobisk@dirco.gov.za

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
460 Soutpansberg Road
RIETONDALE
Pretoria
0002

23 May 2010