Joint Communiqué Following Visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to Ghana. Monday, 1 - Wednesday, 3 November 2004, Accra, Ghana

1. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma paid a working visit to Ghana from 1st - 3rd November 2004.

2. She engaged in bilateral discussions with her Ghanaian counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nana Akufo Addo, MP on several issues to strengthen further the friendly relations and co-operation that already exists between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Ghana.

3. To this end, the two Foreign Ministers signed the following documents to serve as the framework for an enhanced co-operation between the two countries:

· A Co-operative Agreement setting up a Permanent Joint Commission for Economic, Social, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Co-operation; and

· An Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation.

1. The two Ministers reviewed in detail the political and economic situation on the continent and analysed in particular, issues relating to peace and security with special emphasis on the situations in Darfur, Cote d'Ivoire , Liberia and the Great Lakes reigon. They reiterated the solidarity of their Governments for the African Union (AU) and expressed their support for the efforts being made by the continental and regional organizations to achieve peace in the conflict areas of Africa, especially in Darfur, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and the Great Lakes region. They also called for the immediate resolution of all conflicts on the continent.

2. The Foreign Ministers of the two countries emphasized their determination to work together in order to help in realizing the economic development of the continent as envisioned by the NEPAD Initiative.

3. Ministers Dlamini-Zuma and Nana Akufo-Addo also discussed in detail the situation in West Africa and acknowledged the progress so far made by ECOWAS under the able leadership of His Excellency, President John Kufuor in bringing peace and security to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and largely Cote d'Ivoire.

4. The Ghanaian Foreign Minister praised the role of South Africa under its energetic President, His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, in attempts to end the conflicts in Africa, especially in the Great Lakes region, and in the development of the continental organization, the African Union.

5. On Cote d'Ivoire, they expressed concern about the failure of the signatories to implement in full the Accra III Agreement and urged all the stakeholders in the country to exercise total restraint at this critical juncture and to recommit themselves to the achievement of durable peace and lasting security in Cote d'Ivoire on the basis of the Linas-Marcoussis Accord and the Accra III Agreement.

6. The South African Foreign Minister, accompanied by her Ghanaian counterpart paid a courtesy call on His Excellency, the President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.

7. Minister Dlamini Zuma expressed her deepest appreciation to Nana Akufo Addo, the Government and people of Ghana for the fraternal and extremely warm hospitality extended to her and her delegation.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
3 November 2004