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Notes following Joint Media Briefing by Minsiters Dlamini Zuma
& Mamady Conde, Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria, Friday,
24 November 2006 Comments by Minister Mamady Conde - We
have reached the end of this first session of the South Africa - Guinea Conakry
Joint Commission of Co-operation.
- We have signed a series of agreements
aimed at strengthening co-operation between both countries.
- It is necessary
to respond to the challenges experienced by both countries by strengthening co-operation
between both countries.
Comments by Minister Dlamini Zuma - Indeed,
it is with satisfaction that I am closing this inaugural session of the Joint
Commission on Co-operation.
- I would like to thank my Ministerial colleagues
for giving of their time and guidance to the discussions and the delegations of
both countries for their hard work in order to produce the results of this joint
commission.
- The officials have also finalised a programme of action that
will guide our activities in the next 6-12 months - officials have also set very
tight timeless which is very encouraging since it indicates a willingness to achieve
results. I am very happy with those tight timelines - I hope you will be able
to keep to these timelines.
- I urge you to, even before the mid-term review
next year to consult with us should you encounter obstacles since this is the
only way in which we will move forward and achieve progress.
- We must also
be guided by the comments of President Mbeki and President Lasana Conte - when
I met President Lasana in Guinea Conakry when I first arrived, I was told to treat
Guinea as though we share a border. President Mbeki when he visited Guinea said
there should be no passports between both countries - he took it a step further
- if you have a common border you are neighbours, if you do not have a passport,
you are one people. In our work we must be guided by these two sentences that
both our Presidents uttered at different times since it will inform us not just
of the urgency of the work to be completed but that we should remember we are
working with brothers and sisters. The reports received indicated that you are
approaching the work with this sense.
- I am happy that we have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on language training. Communication can be made
much easier.
- I hear from the telecommunications report that we will be
able to roam when we are next in Guinea - I'm sure both sides will really appreciate
this.
- I declare this first session of our joint commission closed.
Questions
and answers Question Minister Conde, did you meet with South African
business people while you were here in SA - are you looking at certain sectors
investing in Guinea Conakry? Answer I did not have an opportunity
to meet with representatives of South African business. We will take stock of
the opportunities presented to us in trade between both countries. This will be
very important in consolidating relations between both countries - the consolidation
of transport links will also assist in this way. It was the plan that business
people from Guinea accompany me on this trip but we later realized it would be
better to sign the agreements first. Question Minister Dlamini Zuma,
can you give us more details about the transport agreement that has been signed
and the upgrading of the railway infrastructure? Answer The Minister
has touched on the agreements but I will say something very briefly. Basically
the transport agreement do cover areas of both public transport and the renewal
of the rail infrastructure. Besides the letters of intent, there have been discussions
on air transport, merchant shipping, public transport and the renewal of rail
infrastructure. In this regard, the matter will deal more with freight both within
Guinea and possibly to eventually link up with Mali. Issued by Department
of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 24 November
2006 | 
