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