Statement on South Africa Angola Joint Commission

The first South Africa - Angola Joint Commission meeting took place in Pretoria on 28 February 2003. An agreement establishing the Joint Commission for Economic, Technical, Scientific, Cultural, Social and Cultural Cooperation between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Angola was signed on 17 November 2000 in Luanda.

The Angolan delegation was lead by His Excellency, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Joäo Bernardo de Miranda. The South African delegation was lead by Her Excellency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. NC Dlamini-Zuma.

Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the excellent ties of friendship, fraternity and cooperation that exist between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Angola. The parties emphasised the need to continuously strengthen the cooperation between the two countries between the two countries in the following areas, namely:

Geology and Mines;
Post and Telecommunications;
Fisheries;
Agriculture;
Oil and Petrol;
Tourism;
Customs;
Public Works;
Energy;
Transport (including air, rail, road ports)
Health;
Social reintegration (including mine-lifting);
Education and Culture;
Labour and Social Security;
Trade;
Gender;
Communications;
Youth and Sports;
Safety and Security;

Determined to implement the agreements reached in the above-mentioned fields, the two delegations agreed to create a Follow-up Mechanism, and identified ways and means to revive and strengthen their bilateral cooperation, so as to make it mutually beneficial.

Following their discussions, the Heads of the two delegations proceeded to sign the Minutes of the first session of the Joint Bilateral Commission as well as the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Angola on the Waiving of the Requirement of Visas on Diplomatic and Official Passports.

The Two Ministers also exchanged views on bilateral, regional, continental and world issues. They further expressed their support for NEPAD as a programme of the African Union.

The parties decided that the second session of the Joint Bilateral Commission will be held in Luanda, in the Republic of Angola in 2005.

The Angolan Delegation expressed their appreciation to the Government and the people of South Africa, for the warm hospitality proffered to them during their stay in Pretoria, South Africa.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa - 082 990 4853

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs

P/Bag X152

Pretoria

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28 February 2003