Joint Communiqué on the official visit of the Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, MP, and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to South Africa from 13 to 14 May 2003.

At the invitation of the Honourable Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, MP, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, paid an official visit to South Africa from 13 to 14 May 2003.

Minister Dlamini Zuma was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr A Pahad. The British Secretary of State, Mr J Straw was accompanied by Mr Michael Meacher, Environment Minister, Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Mr Stephen Twigg, Schools Minister, Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Ms Joyce Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Mr Michael Meacher as well as Mr Mosibudi Mangena, Deputy Minister of Education and Mr Stephen Twigg held bilateral meetings.

Consequent to the bilateral discussions the overall political relationship between South Africa and the United Kingdom have been strengthened with the agreement to enhance and formalise the Joint Bilateral Forum (JBF). In addition officials will meet frequently to take forward a common agenda agreed to by the principals.

In the political sphere the Ministers discussed issues such as: the African Union (AU) and NEPAD; Conflict resolution in the Middle East and Iraq; the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and the Great Lakes as well as other African issues; Co-operation within multilateral fora of the United Nations (UN) and the reinforcement of the UN as the primary multilateral organisation responsible for world peace and security.

Minister Dlamini Zuma provided an update of developments relating to NEPAD and the African Union. Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw congratulated South Africa on the establishment of the NEPAD Secretariat and on the leadership of President Mbeki up to and following the launch of the African Union. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting NEPAD, the African Union, and South Africa. It was agreed that both countries will work together to look for ways in which to implement the NEPAD Agenda and to meet the targets set out in the G8 Africa Action Plan as agreed on at Kananaskis.

The Ministers welcomed the invitation extended to the leaders representing the South to the G8 Summit in Evian, France. Furthermore, the Ministers expressed their hope that the Agreements expected to be reached at Evian on NEPAD'S Africa Action Plan be implemented equitably as agreed upon by all parties at the Summit. It was further agreed to pursue meaningful discussions post-Evian.

Foreign Secretary Straw reiterated that the United Kingdom remains firmly committed to supporting South Africa's democratic transformation. He stated that the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFlD) has recently finalised a new strategy for development co-operation on Southern Africa.

This strategy is closely aligned with the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals, and with South Africa's own development priorities. It commits the British Government to increasing co-operation with South Africa on global and continental issues such as conflict resolution, trade and NEPAD as well as to supporting South African efforts in four thematic areas: (i) poverty strategy and analysis; (ii) growth, jobs and equity; (iii) democracy, governance and service delivery; and (iv) HIV/AIDS. An annual amount of 30 million pounds for a period of three years, has been allocated for the four thematic areas.

Both Ministers acknowledged the burden and challenges facing Africa in the form of communicable diseases such as Malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS etc. The United Kingdom supports South Africa's National 2000-2005 Strategic Plan through its development assistance programme at government to government level, in partnership with civil society, and aiding small, grassroots community organisations.

It was agreed that the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) and South Africa's National Treasury should work together to bring forward new co-operation programmes for consideration, which will include local government, communicable diseases, land reform, and justice.

The Ministers also noted the continued recruitment of skilled South Africans to the UK, and undertook to work together to ensure such recruitment does not undermine the economic and social development of South Africa.
The Ministers welcomed the appointment of Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) as Prime Minister in the Palestinian National Authority and the appointment of a new Cabinet, as well as the consequent publication of the Quartet's Road Map. They agreed to share with the parties to this conflict the relevant experience that their respective Governments gained in the democratic transformation process, in the case of South Africa and in Northern Ireland in the case of the UK.

The Ministers discussed the aftermath of the war in Iraq. Long-term peace, security, development, and a sustainable solution in Iraq can only be achieved with and by the full participation of the Iraqi people themselves. In this regard it was agreed that the first priority now is to address the humanitarian situation and to work towards the stabilisation of Iraq.

In addition to the bilateral discussion held by the Foreign Ministers, two Working Groups met on Africa and Multilateral issues:

On the Great Lakes Region, the Working Group on Africa concurred that both South Africa and the United Kingdom share a strong interest in the long-term stability and prosperity of this Region, acknowledging that development and poverty alleviation can only come about through stability and the total cessation of conflict.

The United Kingdom warmly welcomed South Africa's success in July 2002 in brokering a Peace Agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was noted that the United Kingdom has provided practical support for South Africa's commitment of troops in support of MONUC operations in the DRC. The United Kingdom expressed their government's readiness to provide further assistance, if requested.

The Working Group welcomed the signing of the Final Act of the Peace Agreement on 2 April 2003 at Sun City, as well as the endorsement of the Global and Inclusive Agreement on the Transition in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Transitional Constitution. The Working Group welcomed the sterling efforts of the Facilitator, Sir Ketumile Masire, and of the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Mr Moustapha Niasse, and the spirit of reconciliation displayed by the Congolese parties, which have contributed to this important step towards a united, peaceful and prosperous Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On Burundi the Working Group strongly supported South Africa's continuing efforts to narrow the differences between the protagonists. Both expressed their concern on recent developments in eastern DRC. They underlined their support for efforts to stabilise the situation and protect the civilian population.
On Burundi the Working Group strongly supported South Africa's continuing efforts to narrow the differences between the protagonists. The Working Group welcomed the smooth transfer of power and congratulated all the parties for taking the peace process forward. The Working Group welcomed the plan to deploy the Africa mission to Burundi and noted that this was the first African Union multinational force of Ethiopia, Mozambique and South Africa.

On Angola the Working Group shared a strong commitment in ensuring that the progress in the Angolan peace process is maintained and strengthened. Both countries are aware of the development challenges facing Angola in the post-war phase and support policies and programmes aimed at alleviating the suffering of the people and ensuring the long-term stability of the country.

On Zimbabwe, the Ministers welcomed the visit of President Bakili Muluzi of Malawi Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, to Zimbabwe on 5 May 2003. While in Harare, the three leaders held discussions with both President Robert Mugabe and the MDC leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, in an attempt to remove all the remaining obstacles towards the resumption of Inter-Party Dialogue between ZANU-PF and the MDC. Both countries agreed on the need to encourage the parties to commit themselves to removing the obstacles to the negotiations.

They underlined that the longer the problems in Zimbabwe remain unresolved, the more entrenched poverty will become. They stressed their commitment to an outcome in which the people of Zimbabwe enjoy independence, freedom, peace, stability, democracy and prosperity. The Working Group noted unequivocally, that no lasting solution to the challenges that face Zimbabwe can be found, unless that solution comes from the people of Zimbabwe themselves.

On Cote D'Ivoire the Working Group expressed concern about the continuing unstable situation in Côte D'Ivoire, and the delay in the full implementation of the provisions of the Marcoussis Agreement. They welcomed the mediation efforts undertaken by President Kufuor of Ghana on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has the support of the African Union.

Furthermore, they expressed concern at the ongoing reports of continuing violence in the western parts of Cote d'Ivoire. In this regard, the Working Group stated that all parties to the conflict should desist from violent actions, including the recruitment of mercenaries, which could lead to further suffering and commit themselves to a process of negotiation.

The Multilateral Working Group stressed their commitment to and the importance of, the multilateral system of governance for peace, sustainable development, and strong and equitable growth. The Working Group had a helpful exchange on the British proposal for the International Financing Facility (IFF), which aims to promote enhanced aid flows to the poorest countries.

Both sides agreed to keep in close contact as the idea is taken forward. The Working Group agreed that the United Nations has an indispensable role to play, not only in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in post-conflict situations, but also in assisting with the full range of peace-building, reconciliation and reconstruction activities.

On the WTO and International Trade the Working Group noted that the United Kingdom and South Africa share a good understanding of each other's perspectives on international trade issues and globalisation enhanced by the close interaction between our respective Trade and Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

The Ministers agreed that the lack of progress in talks at the WTO in Geneva is of concern. It was agreed to continue to engage each other at all levels to make progress on the negotiations ahead of Cancun, particularly in the areas of agriculture and TRIPS to meet the mandate of the Doha Development agenda.
Both countries noted with approval that the United Kingdom remains the largest foreign investor in South Africa and welcomed the steady stream of inward trade missions from potential British investors. Over 200 United Kingdom companies have now endorsed the principles behind NEPAD as they see South Africa as a country where good governance, transparency and sound business practice thrive.

The Working Group welcomed the South African Government's release of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) strategy. It noted that the strategy had been broadly welcomed by investors as key to providing both a strong framework and greater certainty for social transformation and economic growth.
In order to enhance further co-operation and to promote two-way trade and tourism, the Working Group agreed that air services and other transport issues will be discussed at senior political level in the near future.

The Working Group remained committed to the Kimberly process in order to help promote international peace and security. It was agreed that the active co-operation between South Africa and the United Kingdom has contributed to the success of the recently held meeting of the Kimberly Process in Johannesburg.

On the WSSD the United Kingdom is targeting its development assistance programme towards achieving the goals set out in Johannesburg regarding access to water, energy and sanitation as part of an overriding objective to alleviate poverty.

During the bilateral meeting between Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi and Junior Minister Meacher, the two Ministers agreed to work together to find a satisfactory solution to serious environmental contamination in Kwazulu-Natal concerning Thor chemicals.

On Climate Change the two Ministers discussed an urgent need for action to tackle the threat of climate change and emphasised the positive role that new technologies, as well as the business sector, could play in the process. The Ministers also emphasised the need of all countries to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
The two ministers agreed that South Africa and the UK could each play a vital role in ensuring that the international community delivered on commitments made in Johannesburg on water and sanitation.

The ministers emphasised the importance of mobilising all possible resources at all levels to ensure adequate investments in these sectors, in order to provide the necessary infrastructure, technology and capacity-building.

In conclusion the two parties agreed that the next meeting of the Joint Bilateral Forum will be held in South Africa during 2004 to coincide with South Africa's 10th Anniversary celebration.

The Rt. Hon. Jack Straw MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs during his visit also had the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on H.E. Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa.

Note-information to follow on the working group on education.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
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14 May