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Joint Communiqué issued during
the 4th Session of the South Africa-Algeria Binational
Commission held in Pretoria, South Africa, 5 & 6
October 2004
The Fourth Session of the Binational Commission (BNC)
between the Government of the Republic of South Africa
and the Government of the People's Democratic Republic
of Algeria was held in Pretoria, South Africa from 05
to 06 October 2004.
The South African delegation was led by His Excellency
Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa,
and the Algerian delegation was led by His Excellency
Mr Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the People's Democratic
Republic of Algeria.
The Fourth Session of the BNC was preceded by a Senior
Officials Preparatory Meeting in Pretoria from 15 -
17 September 2004. During this meeting, bilateral consultations
were held within the context of the BNC's Technical
Working Groups (TWGs).
The Political Committee, co-chaired by the Ministers
of Foreign Affairs, assessed the performance of the
TWGs. To further streamline the activities of the TWGs,
it was agreed to restructure the TWGs.
The two Presidents held private talks, which were later
expanded to include the members of both delegations.
During their talks, the two Heads of State hailed the
excellent relations between South Africa and Algeria
and expressed their satisfaction with the quality of
the relations of friendship, solidarity and co-operation
that exist. They also expressed their appreciation for
the efforts aimed at strengthening the political and
economic relations between the two countries.
In this regard, they reiterated their commitment to
further strengthen these links in view of the exemplary
levels of cooperation and of the strategic partnership
between the two countries.
The Fourth Session of the BNC, which took place in
the context of South Africa commemorating ten years
of freedom and democracy and Algeria celebrating the
50th anniversary of its glorious revolution, was another
opportunity for both sides to assess the progress made
vis-à-vis the implementation of the decisions
and recommendations of the Third Session of the BNC.
Their Excellencies, President Mbeki and President Bouteflika
reviewed global developments, with an emphasis on the
situation in Africa, focussing specifically on the operationalisation
of the African Union and its organs, implementation
of NEPAD, and conflict prevention, -management and -resolution.
The Heads of State welcomed the developments regarding
the operationalisation of the Peace and Security Council,
with specific reference to the adoption of the framework
for the establishment of the African Stand-by Force,
Early Warning Mechanism and the Panel of the Wise.
The two Presidents expressed their satisfaction with
the launch of the Pan African Parliament in Midrand,
South Africa on 16 September 2004. They recognised this
as a major achievement in the short history of the African
Union and expressed the view that it will contribute
to promoting political unity and cohesion on the continent.
The two Presidents expressed satisfaction with the
adoption of the statutes of the ECOSOCC and reiterated
their support for the establishment of this council
as an opportunity for civil society to participate in
the African Renaissance.
The Heads of State affirmed their commitment to combating
international terrorism and pledged their support to
reinforcing African efforts in this regard in cooperation
with the international community. President Mbeki expressed
South Africa's support for the establishment of the
AU Centre for the Study of Terrorism in Algiers. Both
Presidents strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms
and in all parts of the world.
The Heads of State reviewed the status of conflict
situations on the African continent, and noted with
satisfaction efforts by leaders of the continent to
resolve conflicts in Côte d'Ivoire and in the
Sudan (Darfur). Both Presidents stressed the urgent
need for progress in resolving these crises within the
context of finding African solutions to African problems.
In terms of post-conflict reconstruction and development,
both Presidents noted the significant progress made
in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and
in the Mano River region. In this connection, the Heads
of State emphasised the role of the international community
to reinforce these peace processes.
On the Western Sahara issue, their Excellencies President
Mbeki and President Bouteflika, considering this question
as a decolonisation issue, reaffirmed their full support
to the United Nations peace plan adopted by Security
Council Resolution 1495. Both stressed the right of
the Saharawi people to self-determination through a
transparent, free and fair referendum, as the only viable
way to a lasting and peaceful resolution of this conflict.
Both Presidents pledged their full support for the
Iraqi people in their endeavours to re-establish peace,
stability and security in their country. Both Presidents
also encouraged the international community and the
United Nations to step up their support for the people
of Iraq in this regard.
With regard to the Middle East, and more specifically
the Palestinian issue, both Presidents expressed their
concern at the deteriorating situation in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories. There was mutual consent that
all efforts towards re-establishing peace and security
must be strongly encouraged.
Issued in Pretoria on this sixth day of October 2004.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
6 October 2004
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