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Joint Media Statement following Visit
of the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Mr Jan Petersen,
to South Africa, 26 - 27 March 2004
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,
today - Friday, 26 March 2004 - hosted her Norwegian
counterpart, Foreign Minister Jan Peterson for the annual
political consultations in terms of the Memorandum of
Understanding of 1996 between South Africa and Norway
in Durban. Minister Jan Peterson is on a two-day official
visit to South Africa.
Discussions between the two Ministers centred around
the strengthening of the existing political consultations
mechanism; an exchange of views of the current situation
in Africa and NEPAD; conflict resolution in Africa,
with particular reference to the situation in the Sudan,
the DRC, the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa
and Zimbabwe; international matters of mutual interest
such as the Middle East, Iraq and Sri Lanka; as well
as an exchange of ideas on human rights. The discussions
further enhanced the excellent relations between South
Africa and Norway.
The two Foreign Ministers signed a Declaration of Intent
on bilateral consultations and guidelines for Norwegian
- South African development cooperation from 2005 to
2009. The Declaration of Intent will further strengthen
the bilateral consultations between Norway and South
Africa in terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed
on 12 February 1996 and the Declaration of Intent of
17 March 1999. In terms of this latest Declaration of
Intent, Norway and South Africa, will during their annual
consultations, continue to discuss regional issues;
identify areas of future cooperation; and promote closer
cooperation in multilateral fora on issues such as human
rights.
The Declaration of Intent further lays out the agreed
guidelines for a new period of development cooperation
for 2005-2009 which will focus on cooperation in areas
where collaboration could result in long term, self-sustaining
relationships; consolidation of democratic transition;
and strengthening regional integration and collaboration.
The focus will include areas of higher education and
research; environment and natural resources; energy;
democracy, peace, security and human rights. Norway
is committed to providing NOK 250 million for the bilateral
cooperation over the five-year period.
On Saturday, 27 March Minister Erwin will meet Minister
of Trade and Industry, Alec Erwin in Cape Town to discuss
and exchange views on the WTO and the EFTA-SACU negotiations.
Minister Petersen will also be attending the performance
of Fidelio by the Norwegian State Opera and the Cape
Town Opera on Robben Island on 27 March 2004. The performance
in this historical venue by the two opera companies
is being jointly sponsored by the Norwegian and South
African Governments as part of the celebrations of 10
years of democracy in South Africa, the 2005 celebration
of Norway's centenary of independence and the strong
ties between South Africa and Norway.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
26 March 2004
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