Joint Communiqué of the 6th Session of the Joint Bilateral Commission Between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Egypt

The Sixth Session of the Joint Bilateral Commission between the Republic of South Africa and the Arab Republic of Egypt was held in Tshwane, South Africa on 14 and 15 July 2003.

The South African delegation was led by Her Excellency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa.

The Egyptian delegation was led by His Excellency Mr Ahmed Maher El Sayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

On the occasion of the Joint Bilateral Commission, the two Foreign Ministers had in depth discussions concerning bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of common interest.

The two delegations expressed their satisfaction with the quality of the relations of friendship, solidarity and cooperation that exist between the two countries. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation and economic relations between South Africa and Egypt.

The two Ministers acknowledged the fact that the current bilateral trade volume between South Africa and Egypt does not reflect the existing good relations between the two countries. Both Ministers urged the business communities in their respective countries to explore the vast opportunities available in both countries.

Bilateral Relations between the two countries have been further strengthened by the signature of the following agreements:

· Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, as represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
· Agreement on Cooperation between the South African Foreign Service Institute and the Egyptian Diplomatic Training Institute;
· Programme of Cooperation in the fields of Health and Pharmaceuticals;
· Executive Programme on Tourism Cooperation; and
· Memorandum of Understanding between the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and the Egyptian Television and Radio Union.

On multilateral issues, the two Ministers reaffirmed the commitment of their two countries to the principles and objectives of the United Nations, which comprise an ideal framework for consolidating cooperation and coexistence amongst the countries and peoples of the world.

They further expressed their determination to enhance the efforts aimed at reforming and revitalizing the United Nations in the political, economic and social arenas, and endorsed the consensus towards broadening the membership of the Security Council in order to be more representative of the international community, thus rendering the Council more effective in assuming its responsibilities.

Both Ministers expressed confidence that the African Union will further consolidate unity and integration on the continent. In this context, they reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of NEPAD, the African Union's Programme of Action.

Minister Dlamini Zuma commended the Egyptian government for its continuing efforts to reaching a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The two Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the Middle East Peace Process and also reaffirmed their support for the roadmap aimed at the establishment of a viable Palestinian state in accordance with Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. Such a comprehensive peace entails the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories, including East Jerusalem.

The two Ministers called for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Iraq and the establishment of an Iraqi national government.
Minister Maher commended the efforts of the South African government aimed at ending African conflicts, with specific regard to the situation in the Great Lakes region. Both Ministers reaffirmed their governments' commitment to achieving peace, stability and development in Africa.

Minister Maher extended an official invitation to Minister Dlamini Zuma and the South African delegation to visit Egypt for the Seventh Session of the Joint Bilateral Commission during the second half of 2004. Minister Dlamini Zuma accepted the invitation and the details of the visit will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.

At the conclusion of the visit, His Excellency Minister Maher expressed his appreciation to the People and Government of the Republic of South Africa for the warm and cordial hospitality extended to him and the entire Egyptian delegation throughout their stay in South Africa.

DONE at Tshwane on this fifteenth day of July 2003, in English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authentic.