President Thabo Mbeki arrives in Kinshasa, DRC, for Binational Commission Meeting

President Thabo Mbeki arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC's) capital ahead of a joint South Africa-DRC Binational Commission meeting.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said the President was accompanied by Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota.

Also in the South African delegation were Ministers Jeff Radebe (transport), Charles Nqakula (security) Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi (public service), Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula (home affairs), Naledi Pandor (education), Lindiwe Hendrickse (minerals and energy) and Deputy Minister Rob Davies (trade and industry).

The third session of the commission, set to convene on Thursday, will be co-chaired by Mbeki and the DRC's President Joseph Kabila. They are expected to evaluate the status co-operation in political, diplomatic, defence, security and economic affairs. Cooperation in finance, infrastructure, social and humanitarian affairs were to be discussed as well.

Later on Wednesday, Minister Dlamini Zuma and her Congolese counterpart, Raymond Baya will call the ministerial session of the Commission to order to prepare a political and economic report for the Presidential session.

South Africa's participation in the Commission is part of its commitment to help consolidate peace efforts and the transition to democracy and stability in the DR Congo.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria

15 March 2006