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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