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Joint Communique of the Fourth South
Africa - Tunisia Joint Bilateral Commission, 9 July
2004
1. At the invitation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini
Zuma, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Tunisia, H.E. Mr Habib Ben Yahia, paid an official
visit to the Republic of South Africa on 9 July 2004.
2. On this occasion of the Fourth South Africa-Tunisia
Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC), H.E. Dr Nkosazana
Dlamini Zuma welcomed H.E. Minister Habib Ben Yahia
and his delegation to South Africa. This session of
the JBC accorded both delegations an opportunity to
review the state of bilateral cooperation between the
two countries and exchange views and ideas on a wide
range of issues, including Africa, the Middle East and
global issues.
3. In reviewing the state of bilateral cooperation,
the two Ministers noted with satisfaction the increased
level of cooperation between South Africa and Tunisia
in various technical fields, such as health and trade.
The Ministers committed themselves to intensify their
cooperation in various other technical areas.
4. The Ministers approved the report of the Senior
Officials and directed the officials to implement all
outstanding commitments pertaining to the JBC.
5. The highlight of the JBC was the signature of the
following agreements:
- Agreement on the Abolition of Visa Requirements
for the Holders of Diplomatic and Official or Special
Passports;
- Programme of Cooperation in the Field of Sport;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the JSE Securities
Exchange SA and the Bourse des Valuers Mobiliers de
Tunis; and
- Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation
between the National Institute of Normalisation and
Industrial Property for the Republic of Tunisia and
the South African Bureau of Standards.
These agreements will further strengthen and consolidate
bilateral relations between South Africa and Tunisia.
6. H.E. Minister Habib Ben Yahia, in his capacity as
Special Envoy, delivered a message from President Ben
Ali. He also used the occasion to engage in fruitful
bilateral discussions with South Africa's Minister of
Trade and Industry, H.E. Mr M Mpahlwa.
7. The two Ministers expressed satisfaction with the
outcome of the recent African Union Summit that was
held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this context, they
also recognized the launching of the two key institutions
of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and Security Council
(PSC).
8. Concerning the Peace and Security Council, they
reaffirmed their support to the PSC deal with conflicts
on the continents, such as those in Côte d'Ivoire,
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, the
Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
9. The Ministers underscored the importance of NEPAD
as the blueprint for the continent's economic and social
development. In this regard, they agreed to develop
bilateral projects for the implementation of NEPAD.
10. The two Ministers also exchanged views on the situation
in the Middle East. They expressed concern at the lack
of progress regarding the lack of implementation of
the Road Map. They recommitted themselves to continue
working towards sustainable peace in the Middle East.
11. On Iraq, the Ministers reaffirmed their support
for the role of the United Nations in the reconstruction
of the country and called for genuine control of the
Iraqi institutions by the people of Iraq and the return
of Iraq's sovereignty to the Iraqis.
12. The two Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to
the need to reform the United Nations and other multilateral
institutions, such as the Bretton Woods Institutions
and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In this regard,
they agreed to further their cooperation in the deliberations
and work of these institutions.
13. With specific reference to the global trade negotiations,
the Ministers expressed support for the revival of the
Cancun trade negotiations and emphasized that the Doha
development agenda should be placed at the centre of
future trade negotiations.
14. In conclusion, H.E. Minister Habib Ben Yahia extended
an invitation to H.E. Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
to undertake a visit to Tunisia in 2005, the occasion
on which he will host the Fifth Session of the Tunisia-South
Africa Joint Bilateral Commission.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
C/o Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
9 July 2004
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