Media Statement on the Visit of the Deputy Minister Pahad to the UK and France

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad, led a delegation of senior officials to France (5th to 6th August) and the UK (6th to 7th August) for consultations with the French and UK Foreign Ministries on the Middle East and Africa. He met with the French Foreign Minister and Minister of Cooperation and Francophony as well as holding roundtable discussions with senior Foreign Ministry officials in France and the UK.

The consultations in the UK followed an invitation from the FCO to the Deputy Minister to continue a process of engagement started last year by the two Ministries on the Middle East Peace Process and Iraq.

The French Foreign Ministry also invited the Deputy Minister for similar consultations in the spirit of the France/South Africa Political Dialogue Forums that have taken place on other issues of mutual interest.
The Deputy Minister welcomed the spirit of cooperation shown by both the French and British Governments especially given the urgency of finding ways for the Israelis and Palestinians to return to the negotiating table.

Deputy Minister Pahad discussed with UK and French counterparts and officials ways in which the international community can strengthen and enhance activities in the Middle East to ensure that a viable, sovereign Palestinian State can be established as a matter of urgency and to further ensure peace and security for Israel and Palestine.

The Deputy Minister also had the opportunity to brief the French Ministry on recent developments on the African continent, including the signing of the DRC/Rwanda peace accords; the progress of the AU and the positive reception of NEPAD by France. Discussions were also conducted with the British on developments in respect of Libya and Sudan.

Mr Pahad said today: "I very much welcomed this opportunity to engage with two leading members of the EU. It has provided an invaluable opportunity to share our experiences and discuss ways in which we might assist the efforts of the 'Quartet' i.e. the UN Secretary General, the EU, Russia and the US in support of efforts to bring a lasting peace to the Middle East region.

The Deputy Minister continued: "We looked at ways in which we can assist in bringing the two parties back to the negotiating table. As the South African Government has frequently stated, the framework for genuine negotiations exists, in UNSC Resolutions, the land for peace principle and the Arab Peace Initiative.

We believe that, with the political will of both parties and the backing of the international community, final status issues can be resolved, based on the point at which they left off at the Taba talks. The French and the UK both have the same desire and we hope to find ways to pool our resources in order to increase the momentum for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.

In this regard the issue of Iraq was seen as most pertinent and I am pleased by the full and frank discussions on the possibilities for averting further military activity. Of course, any way in which South Africa can contribute towards furthering security and stability in the region will be fully explored."

For further information contact Basetsana Thokoane at 083 443 7740
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
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08 August 2002