|
Joint Communiqué on the Official
Launch of the South Africa - Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) Binational Commission (BNC)
1. At the invitation of his counterpart, H.E. Mr. Joseph
Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo,
H.E. Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South
Africa paid a working visit to Kinshasa from 30 - 31
August 2004. The President of the Republic of South
Africa was accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
Defence, Trade and Industry, Public Service and Administration,
Finance and Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy as
well as senior government officials.
2. During this visit, His Congolese counterpart, President
Joseph Kabila, had talks with his colleague on the political
and economic situation in the DRC as well as on the
Joint Bilateral Commission RDC-RSA created in the framework
of the General Agreement on Cooperation signed in Kinshasa
on January 14th, 2004 between the two Countries; the
two Presidents then officially launched the first extraordinary
session of the Bi-National Commission.
3. While reviewing the problems of mutual interest
to their two Countries as well as other sub-regional
and international problems, the two Heads of State agreed
on the way forward regarding questions related to their
two countries and to the Great Lakes Region.
4. Regarding the political situation in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, the Heads of State insisted on
the need to provide support to the present process which
is expected to lead to the holding of free, democratic
and fair elections within the prescribed timeframe as
determined by the Global and Inclusive agreement signed
in Pretoria.
5. The two Heads of State held official talks in a
friendly and cordial environment. The meeting focused
on the strengthening of cooperation and friendly relations
between the two countries and issues related to the
Transition process. The President of the Republic of
South Africa held further talks with the Vice-Presidents
and other stakeholders, on the difficulties of managing
the transition. All leaders agreed that there is no
alternative to the Global and Inclusive Agreements signed
by the various Congolese Parties in Pretoria on 16 December
2002, aimed at putting an end to the conflict in the
DRC.
6. The members of the transitional government of the
DRC were called upon to act in the interest of the Congolese
people by ensuring the success of the transitional process,
which must lead the country to free And democratic elections
in 2005. South Africa reiterated its commitment to the
DRC Government and all its people to support them on
the arduous road to sustainable peace and reconciliation.
7. The President of South Africa reassured his Congolese
counterpart of the availability of support to the transition
in the DRC. He also encouraged the entire Congolese
political leadership to respect their commitment to
the process.
8. The Independent Electoral Commissions of the two
countries met and assessed the requirement of the DRC
for holding of successful elections. They called on
the South African Government and the international community
to provide a range of technical and logistical assistance
to their Congolese counterparts.
9. The experts from the two delegations reached conclusions,
which resulted in the signing of:
· An Agreement of Health Matters;
· A Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation;
· An Agreement for the Reciprocal Protection
and Promotion of Investment;
· A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation
in the field of Public Administration; and
· A Protocol for Regular Diplomatic Consultation.
10. These agreements were signed by the appropriate
Ministers in the presence of the two Heads of State.
11. Experts of the Commission on Defence and Security
also met to evaluate the progress made since the signing
of the Agreement on Military Cooperation between the
two countries. The Republic of South Africa reaffirmed
its commitment to provide support to the formation of
a national, structured and integrated Army of the DRC,
based on the Military Cooperation Agreement between
the two countries.
12. The two Heads of State further agreed to speed
up the implementation of the Defence Agreement in order
to facilitate the urgent integration and unification
of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
13. The Binational Commission deliberated on other
outstanding agreement, which will be concluded soon.
These are in the fields of education, mining, transport,
energy, finance, trade and investment, customs and excise
and prevention of double taxation. Both countries have
further agreed to explore cooperation between their
Traditional leaders.
14. The Congolese party also reaffirmed its support
to the WESTCOR Project, which is a project of common
interest for SADC, as it relates to the DRC, Namibia,
Botswana, South Africa and Angola.
15. The two Heads of State expressed their satisfaction
for the way the work has been carried out; they also
expressed their determination to reinforce the new dynamic
in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
16. President THABO MBEKI thanked, on his behalf and
that of his delegation, President JOSEPH KABILA for
the warm welcome he received from the Government of
Transition and the Congolese people.
17. The two parties have agreed to meet again in South
Africa for the holding of the coming session of the
Joint Bilateral Commission at a date to be determined
through diplomatic channels.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
31 August 2004
|
