|
Minister Dlamini Zuma returns from Mali Bamako- South
African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, today, Tuesday, 12 December
2006 concluded her tri-nation programme which saw her visiting Tokyo, Washington
DC and Bamako in Mali. The second session of the Joint Commission for Co-operation
(JCC) in Mali which was the last leg of the visit took place within the context
of South Africa's priority to strengthen bilateral, political, economic and trade
relations with Mali and subsequently the Consolidation of the African agenda.
Whilst in Mali, Minister Dlamini Zuma co-chaired with her Malian counterpart,
Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane, the Second Session of South Africa - Mali Joint
Commission for Co-operation (SA-Mali JCC). Both Ministers signed the Agreed Minutes
as a testimony to progress made in the co-operation. Issues on the agenda
for discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma and Ouane focused amongst others
on a review of progress in the various areas of co-operation such as Agriculture,
Arts and Culture, Defence, Education, Health, Minerals and Energy, Science and
Technology, Trade and Industry and Transport. The JCC emphasised the need
to strengthen the existing co-operation but also looked into the possibilities
of pioneering co-operation in the fields of Gender co-operation as well as the
environment. In the area of multilateral co-operation, South Africa thanked
Mali for supporting its accession to the non-permanent seat of the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC). Mali previously served in the non-permanent seat of the
UNSC and underpinned its commitment in sharing its experiences with South Africa.
Minister Dlamini Zuma concluded her visit by paying a courtesy call on
Malian President, General Amadou Toumani Toure and reiterated its commitment to
ensuring the further strengthening of the already strong relations between the
two countries. Minister Dlamini Zuma returns to South Africa on Wednesday,
13 December 2006. Issued by: Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459
3787 Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
12 December 2006 | 
