Communiqué on the Official Visit
of the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa
to the Republic of Angola
1. At the invitation of the Government of the Republic
of Angola, His Excellency Jacob Zuma, Deputy President
of the Republic of South Africa paid an official visit
to the Republic of Angola from 22-25 August 2004. The
meeting focused on the strengthening of cooperation
and friendly relations between both countries.
2. The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa
was accompanied by the Ministers of Defence, Transport,
Trade and Industry, the Deputy Minister of Minerals
and Energy and senior government officials.
3. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Angola was
accompanied by the Ministers of Transport, Defence and
Industry, the Deputy Ministers of External Relations,
Trade, Petroleum, Geology and Mines, Energy and Water
Affairs and senior government officials.
4. The Deputy President was received by His Excellency
the President of the Republic of Angola Jose Eduardo
dos Santos, and transmitted a verbal message from His
Excellency President Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic
of South Africa. Equally, he was received by the President
of the National Assembly, Dr Victor de Almeida.
5. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Angola and
the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa
held official talks, which took place in a friendly
and cordial environment. They noted with satisfaction
the excellent relations based on the ties of friendship
and solidarity between both countries, as well as a
commonality of viewpoints on the main issues that were
discussed.
6. The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa
congratulated the Prime Minister for the efforts undertaken
by the Angolan Government with a view to consolidating
peace and democracy in the country.
7. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Angola congratulated
the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa
on the consolidation of the democratic process and the
successful holding of peaceful elections in South Africa,
which returned the ruling party to power with an increased
majority.
8. The heads of delegation reaffirmed their determination
to work towards the deepening of bilateral cooperation,
as well as to pursue the strategic partnership between
both countries.
9. The heads of delegation underscored the need to
strengthen co-operation particularly focusing in the
fields of politics, diplomacy, transport, oil, agriculture,
trade, health, tourism, industry, geology and mines,
promotion and protection of reciprocal investments,
energy and water, and defence, social communication,
reintegration of society, maritime transport, civil
aviation, sports and recreation, and encouraged the
establishment of mechanisms to enhance such co-operation.
10. South Africa will support Angola's efforts to hold
an International Donor's Conference on Angola by appealing
to the international community to participate.
11. The heads of delegation analysed the regional,
continental, and international situations and concluded
that they had the same viewpoints. They also expressed
the need to maintain regular consultations between the
two countries at different levels.
12. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Angola and
the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa
discussed the situation in the Democratic Republic of
Congo, the Great Lakes' Conference, Burundi, Sao Tome
and Principe and Equatorial Guinea.
13. The heads of delegation expressed the support of
the Republic of Angola and the Republic of South Africa
to the attempts of bringing about and consolidating
peace and stability in these sister countries, and urged
all parties to strengthen co-operation to bring about
and consolidate democracy and lasting peace.
14. On the situation in the DRC, the heads of delegation
expressed the support of the Republic of Angola and
the Republic of South Africa to the transitional authorities
for the stability of the country and pledged to work
together for the consolidation of peace in that country.
15. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Angola and
the Deputy-President of the Republic of South Africa
having reviewed the situation in Sao Tome and Principe
and Equatorial Guinea agreed to support continental
efforts to combat all forms of mercenary activities
and to work towards the strengthening of the Protocol
of the African Union on Mercenaries.
16. The two heads of delegation renewed their commitment
to actively participate in programmes and mechanisms
of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
as the basis of development in the continent.
17. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Angola and
the Deputy-President of the Republic of South Africa
accepted that globalization provides greater opportunities
for development. Nonetheless, they acknowledged that
the negative impact of the process of globalization
could lead to the marginalization of developing countries.
18. The two heads of delegation resolved to meet regularly,
as this would contribute towards the strengthening of
relations.
19. The Deputy President and delegation also visited
the Province of Benguela, which focused on important
economic projects, namely SONAMET, the Port of Lobito,
and Tecnosecil Cement factory.
20. The Deputy President had audience and exchanged
views with a joint South Africa and Angola Business
community where various issues of common interest were
discussed. The Deputy President encouraged the Business
community to intensify their efforts and take advantage
of peaceful conditions existing in Angola, and to work
towards mutually beneficial commercial relations.
21. His Excellency Deputy President Zuma extended an
invitation to the Prime Minister of the Republic of
Angola to visit the Republic of South Africa. The invitation
was accepted with satisfaction and the date of the visit
will be agreed through diplomatic channels.
22. His Excellency Jacob Zuma, Deputy President of
the Republic of South Africa thanked His Excellency
Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, Prime Minister
of the Republic of Angola, the Government, and the people
of Angola for the warm welcome and hospitality that
were accorded to his delegation and himself.
Luanda, 25 August 2004
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