International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane held a Bilateral Meeting with her French Counterpart, Minister Bernard Kouchner, 31 May 2010

Nice, France - South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, met with her French counterpart, Minister Bernard Kouchner, this morning in Nice, France, on the fringes of the Africa-France Summit, which officially starts later this afternoon, 31 May 2010.

The two ministers expressed their commitment to strengthening bilateral socio-economic relations between the two countries. Minister Nkoana-Mashabane emphasised that it was significant that both countries elevated their current relations from aid to opening market access for each country’s products.

Both ministers discussed the issue of crisis in Africa with specific reference to Madagascar and Niger. They both called for dialogue as a vehicle for finding lasting solutions in those countries. They further acknowledged that the referendum scheduled for the Southern Sudan serves as a step towards the full implementation of the Global Peace Agreement.

In line with the African Union’s prescripts, both ministers also expressed their commitment to rejecting the unconstitutional transfer of power and use of mercenaries in the continent. They further agreed to establish joint early warning mechanisms to detect, prevent and respond to such malice.

The ministers also discussed global multilateral issues, including the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), including nuclear armament issues with specific reference to Iran.

Both Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Minister Kouchner committed themselves to having an open line on all bilateral and multilateral issues as part of strengthening the South Africa-France relations.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Saul Kgomotso Molobi, on +27 12 351 1000, +27 82 940 1647 or e-mail him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za

ISSUED BY : Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
PRETORIA
0001

31 May 2010