Joint Communiqué: Minister Dlamini Zuma's Working Visit to Chad

At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Chad, a delegation of South Africa undertook a friendly and working visit to N'Djamena from 7th to 8th November 2004.

The two delegations were respectively led by His Excellency NAGOUM YAMASSOUM, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration of the Republic of Chad and Dr. DLAMINI ZUMA, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa.

At the opening of the working session, the two Heads of Delegation commended the fruitful cooperation on African issues between the two countries and the reciprocal support of each others' policies in the promotion of the rule of law and the consolidation of peace on the African continent.

They reaffirmed the firm willingness of Their Excellencies IDRJSS DEBY, President of the Republic of Chad and THABO MBEKI, President of the Republic of South Africa, and of their respective governments to promote the cooperation between their two countries and their two brotherly peoples and to set up regular consultations on the important concerns of today's world.

They expressed their support for the efforts of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union in the resolution of the situation prevailing in the region of Darfur in the Sudan. They urged the international community to intensify its humanitarian assistance in order to relieve the critical condition of the refugees.

They also expressed their concerns on the deterioration of the situation in Cote-d'lvoire and urged all the parties to get engaged again in the Linas Marcoussis and Accra III Agreements. They expressed their optimism that the Great Lakes Summit will complement peace building initiative in the region.

Discussions were held in a frank brotherly atmosphere and focussed on all the areas of political, economical and social cooperation.

The two delegations emphasized the need to work hard for the promotion of trade and investment and the strengthening of cooperation in the economic, scientific, cultural and technical areas between the two countries.

This meeting enabled the two parties to review the draft Framework Agreement of Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Chad and the Government of the Republic of South Africa, the Protocol on Regular Diplomatic Consultations between Chad and the Republic of South Africa as well as the Agreement on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment which will be signed in due course.

During her visit, Minister Dlamini Zuma was received in audience by His Excellency IDRISS DEBY, President of the Republic, Head of State, in Abeche and seized this opportunity to extend the brotherly greetings of RE. THABO MBEKI, President of South Africa.

The South African Delegation expressed its profound gratitude to the Government and people of Chad for the warm and cordial welcome accorded to them during their stay.

The two delegations agreed to hold the next session of diplomatic consultations in Pretoria on a date which will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

Done in N'Djamena, on the 8 November 2004., in French and English, both texts being equally authentic.

NACOUM YAMASSOUM
For the Government of the Republic of Chad, The Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration

Dr NKQSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA
For the Government of The Republic of South Africa, Minister of Foreign Affairs