Joint Communiqué on the Outcome of the 2nd South Africa - Norway High Level Consultations held in Pretoria from 9-10 December 2014
Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers and his Norwegian counterpart, State Secretary Hans Brattskar co-chaired the 2nd Session of the South Africa-Norway High Level Consultations which were held in Pretoria from 9-10 December 2014.
During the consultations the two Deputy Ministers reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional, and international issues. They expressed great satisfaction at the warm and substantive relations that exist between South Africa and Norway and committed themselves to further enhance the existing historical relations to mutual benefit.
The Deputy Ministers reviewed the progress made since the inaugural High Level Consultations held in Norway in November 2013, and expressed a firm commitment to further energise bilateral cooperation in identified sectors like alternative and renewable energy, science and technology, environment and the maritime sector. The development of South Africa’s blue economy was singled out as a new area that holds particular potential for future partnerships.
On regional and continental issues the two Deputy Ministers exchanged views on the prevailing political, economic, and security situation, particularly in countries like the DRC, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan. In this context, they re-affirmed their commitment to work together in pursuit of sustainable peace and security in Africa. They also exchanged views on developments in the Middle East.
The two Deputy Ministers expressed the hope that the member states of the UN at its 70th anniversary would agree on a Post-2015 Development Agenda to adopt an over-arching ambition for eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development. They also agreed that the 70th anniversary of the UN presents an opportunity to promote progress towards a comprehensive UN Reform with a view to ensure an effective and more representative UN Security Council.
The two Deputy Ministers welcomed the success of the joint project between South Africa and Norway related to the training of women in mediation and conflict resolution which took place on 15 February-07 March 2014. Both parties acknowledged the benefit of the training programme for structured capacity building, and also agreed to continue dialogue regarding further training efforts in this area.
State Secretary Hans Brattskar expressed his gratitude to Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers, the Government, and the people of South Africa for the warm welcome and fraternal reception accorded to him and his delegation during the visit.
PRETORIA
10 December 2014
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
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