Minister Dlamini Zuma to Co-Chair 4th South Africa - Rwanda Joint Commission of Co-operation

Pretoria - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will co-chair, together with her Rwandan counterpart Foreign Minister Dr Charles Murigande the 4th session of the South Africa - Rwanda Joint Commission of Co-operation (JCC) in Kigali, Rwanda from 29-30 August 2006.

Minister Dlamini Zuma's participation in this session of the JCC comes within the context of South Africa's commitment to consolidate the African agenda through, among others, the strengthening of bilateral relations with African countries and promoting post-conflict reconstruction and development initiatives.

In this regard, issues on the agenda for discussions between Foreign Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Dr Charles Murigande are expected to include among others:

  • The status of political and economic bilateral relations
  • Review of progress in the work of the JCC since its establishment in 2001;
  • Developments in the East Africa and SADC regions;
  • Peace building and conflict resolution in Africa with regard to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Côte d'Ivoire;
  • Lessons from Rwanda's accession to the African Peer Review Mechanism since South Africa is currently under review;
  • The implementation of NEPAD; and
  • Other issues of mutual interest.

The JCC consists of the following Working Groups from National Departments: Foreign Affairs, SAMDI, Water Affairs and Forestry, SA Revenue Services, Correctional Services, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Science and Technology, Defence, Health, Transport, Safety and Security, SA Reserve Bank, Home Affairs, Trade and Industry, Public Service and Administration, Education, Agriculture, Land Affairs, Minerals and Energy, Public Enterprises, Sports and Recreation and the City of Tshwane.

Since the inauguration of the JCC in Pretoria on 22 June 2001, significant progress has been recorded by the various Working Groups to develop and implement post-reconstruction programmes in Rwanda to build capacity in critical areas. Substantial progress was made in developing and finalising Memoranda of Understanding (MoU's) in key priority areas for signature before and during the Second Plenary Session of the JCC held in Rwanda, Kigali in December 2002.

The establishment of a strategic partnership between South Africa and Rwanda in promoting the objectives of the AU and the African Development Agenda within the framework of the JCC and NEPAD, is underscored by a high-level engagement between South Africa and Rwandan public and private sector stakeholders.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will depart from Rwanda for Côte d'Ivoire on Friday 1 September 2006 to attend the 10th session of the International Working Group on Côte d'Ivoire.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

24 August 2006


Economic Bilateral Relations

Rwanda Trade Relations with South Africa

South African imports from Rwanda: R 6,425 000 million (2005)
South African exports to Rwanda: R 70,156 million (2005)

Source: DTI (2006)

A Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Co-operation is expected to be signed by Rwanda and South Africa at the JCC. The South African Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister Mandisi Mphahlwa is expected to sign this MoU on behalf of South Africa. An MoU in the field of Sports and Recreation is also expected to be signed. The South African Minister of Home Affairs, Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will also be part of the South African delegation travelling to Rwanda for the 4th Session of the SA/Rwanda JCC.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

24 August 2006




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