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Communique on the State Visit to South Africa of H.E. President
Festus G. Mogae, Cape Town, 24-27 October 2005 1. At the invitation of HE
President Thabo Mbeki of the Republic of South Africa, President Festus Mogae
of the Republic of Botswana visited South Africa from 24 to 27 October 2005, for
his first state visit to South Africa since his election as President of Botswana
in 1998. 2. President Mogae was accompanied by Mrs B Mogae, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Lt Gen M Merafhe, Minister of Finance
and Development Planning, Mr B Gaolathe, two Assistant Ministers, Mr F Ramsden
and Mrs M Mbaakanyi, Botswana's High Commissioner to South Africa, HE Mr MKJ Masisi
and other senior officials. 3. President Mbeki was accompanied by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, South Africa's High Commissioner
to Botswana, Ms EVG Komane, Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr M Mpahlwa, Minister
of Correctional Services, Mr N Balfour, Minister of Agriculture, Ms T Didiza,
Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Mr S Mufamadi, Minister of Education,
Ms N Pandor, Minister of Transport, Mr J Radebe, Minister of Health, Dr M Tshabalala-Msimang,
Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr P Jordan and senior Government officials. 4.
President Mbeki welcomed President Mogae and his delegation to South Africa, and
reiterated South Africa's commitment to close fraternal relations with Botswana.
Discussions were held in a friendly and constructive manner. Both Parties noted
with satisfaction the excellent relations between the two countries. President
Mbeki recalled his state visit to Botswana in March 2003, during which he was
given a singular honour of addressing Botswana's Parliament. President Mbeki once
again thanked Botswana for this meaningful gesture. 5. The Heads of Delegation
reaffirmed their intention to work towards further strengthening bilateral relations,
as well as to intensify the close co-operation between the two countries for the
future well-being of both their peoples, and for the benefit of the African continent
as a whole. 6. The Heads of Delegation noted that while relations have
been cordial between the two countries since South Africa's first democratic elections
in 1994, the signing of the Agreement on the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation
(JPCC) in 2003 laid the legal and institutional framework to consolidate and deepen
the bilateral relations. 7. The Parties noted that since the establishment
of the JPCC, agreements on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and in the Field of
Science and Technology Cooperation had been signed. The Parties further noted
with appreciation and satisfaction the signing of the following six agreements,
Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture, Aeronautical Search and
Rescue Agreement, Sports and Recreation Agreement, Agreement in the field of Arts
and Culture, Memorandum of Understanding on Health Matters and Memorandum of Understanding
on Cooperation between Local Government Authorities. The Parties further noted
that the signing of the six Agreements would enhance cooperation between the respective
departments/ministries in various fields including agriculture, health, local
government, sports, culture and transport. 8. The Heads of Delegation noted
the report of the Ministerial meeting, which reported on progress in the following
areas: - Economic issues
- Social issues
- Local government
- Security
and stability
- Strategic Foreign Policy issues
9. The two Parties
committed themselves to the full implementation of the Joint Permanent Commission
for Cooperation and all the signed bilateral agreements. 10. President
Mbeki expressed South Africa's pleasure at Botswana's taking over chair of SADC
at the Summit in August 2005. He further indicated that South Africa looked forward
to Botswana's leadership, and assured Botswana of South Africa's support in key
issues identified by President Mogae in his acceptance speech at the Summit. 11.
The two Heads of Delegation renewed their commitment to actively participate in
programmes and mechanisms of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
as the basis for the development of the continent. 12. The Parties discussed
regional and multilateral developments, in particular the reform of the United
Nations institutions. The two Heads of Delegation agreed to continue collaborating
closely in their efforts in these matters. 13. President Mogae expressed
Botswana's appreciation of the role South Africa was playing in conflict resolution
on the continent, in countries such as Sudan, Burundi, DRC and Cote d' Ivoire.
14. President Mogae thanked President Mbeki and his Government and people
of South Africa for the invitation for the State Visit and for the generous hospitality
accorded to him, Mrs Mogae and his delegation throughout their stay in South Africa.
Cape Town, 25 October 2005 Issued by the Department of
Foreign Affairs Private Bag X152
Tshwane
0001 25 October
2005 | 
