South Africa to sign Petroleum Agreement with Angola

Luanda – Three agreements including an agreement on co-operation in the petroleum sector, are expected to be signed on Wednesday 21 November 2007 in Luanda, Angola during the 2nd session of the South Africa – Angola Joint Commission for Co-operation.

Two other agreements, an agreement on the promotion of tourism between the two countries and a Declaration of Intent on the waiving of visas for ordinary passport holders will also be signed during the meeting.

Minister Dlamini Zuma accompanied by Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Deputy Minister Malusi Gigaba are expected to depart for Luanda on Tuesday 20 November 2007 for the Joint Commission meeting scheduled to begin deliberations later in the day.

Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to co-chair the South Africa – Angola JCC with her Angolan counterpart Foreign Minister João Bernardo de Miranda.

The Joint Commission for Co-operation established in 2000 will be meeting for the second time since its establishment.

The Departments of Health, Agriculture, Defence, Trade and Industry, Minerals and Energy as well as Social Development form part of the JCC.

The JCC will take place within the context of the need to consolidate political, economic and trade relations between the two countries as part of efforts to advance the consolidation of the African agenda.

Since its establishment the following agreements have been finalised under the umbrella of the JCC: agriculture, health, the exemption from visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders, the “Promotion and Protection of Investments”, a “Defence Protocol”, “Co-operation in the Field of Electricity”, and “Social Assistance and Reintegration”.

The JCC will conclude its deliberations on Wednesday 21 November 2007 whereupon Minister Dlamini Zuma and her delegation are expected to return to South Africa.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

19 November 2007