Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad concludes visit to the Middle East and Gulf Regions

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad, today - Monday, 2nd June 2003 - concluded a visit to the Middle East and Gulf region following visits to Saudi Arabia and the City of Kuwait.

In Saudi Arabia, the Deputy Minister met with Dr Hashim Yamani, the Minister of Trade & Industry and Dr Nizar Madani, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Khaled Al-Jarallah, the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs in Kuwait.

Discussions in both countries focused on post-war Iraq, the Middle East Roadmap for peace and the consequences of both situations for regional and global peace and security.

All principals expressed support for the positions taken by Ministers at the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Meeting in Tehran, Iran last week which called for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq to be maintained following the invasion. In addition, the right of the Iraqi people to self-determination must be encouraged. It is essential also that the United Nations play a role in post-war Iraq and the reconstruction of Iraq.

Regarding the Middle East peace process, support was expressed for the US/EU brokered Roadmap for peace. All principals expressed optimism that a plan for peace was now in place and maintained that this should be implemented as has been accepted by all sides. In addition, all preconditions should be set aside.

The meetings between President Bush and the leaders of both Israel and Palestine are eagerly anticipated with the hope that these will conclude with concrete steps for movement towards the resolution of the current crisis in the region.

Bilaterally, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry in Saudi Arabia, Dr Hashim Yamani reiterated the strategic partnership between South Africa and Saudi Arabia and the commitment of the Government to increase interaction at all levels. In this regard, the Saudi Arabian Government has established an inter-ministerial committee, chaired by Minister Yamani to facilitate this relationship.

Minister Yamani stressed the enormous potential for the enhancement of relations and called upon the South African private sector to take full advantage of the new economic programmes being initiated by the Saudi Arabian Government.

It was agreed that the South African side would take urgent steps to establish the appropriate mechanism to interact with the inter-ministerial committee established by the Saudi Arabian Government.

It was also agreed that outstanding agreements that would promote investments in both countries would be finalised shortly.

Khaled Al-Jarallah, the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs in Kuwait was advised during bilateral consultations that the South African Mission in Kuwait would soon be upgraded to an Embassy.
Discussions highlighted the good co-operation that existed between both countries although the potential for greater trilateral co-operation that would ensure partnerships for the development of Africa could be investigated.

At the conclusion of the visit the Deputy Minister said that, "South Africa enjoys excellent political relations with the region and the South African private sector and parastatals must begin to appreciate the excellent economic opportunities that exist and must relinquish the existing cocoon of ignorance and exploit these opportunities."

He added that, "this would enhance the objective of the South African Government to create a better quality of life for all our people."

The Deputy Minister will today travel to Havana, Cuba where he will, together with Cuba´s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Fernando Remirez de Estenoz Barciela, co-chair the second meeting of the Consultative Mechanism between the Foreign Ministeries of South Africa and Cuba from Tuesday, 3rd - Wednesday, 4th June 2003.

For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
2 June 2003