Joint Communiqué on the occasion of the State Visit to the Republic of Namibia by his Excellency Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa 31 October 2007 Windhoek, Namibia
1. At the invitation of His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, paid a State Visit to the Republic of Namibia, from 30 to 31 October 2007. The invitation coincided with the opening of the International Investment Conference co-hosted by the Governments of Namibia and South Africa, and opened by both Presidents.
2. The President of South Africa was accompanied bythe First Lady, Madam Zanele Mbeki, Cabinet Ministers and other senior government officials.
3. The Presidents held official talks at State House, at which President Pohamba was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and other senior government officials.
4. During the talks, which were held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, the Heads of State reviewed the state of relations between the two countries and also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, and a wide range of other concerns.
5. The Heads of State expressed satisfaction on the excellent state of relations between the two countries, in particular, at the extensive cooperation taking place at various levels, including government to government, regional/provincial and local authorities, the private sector and NGO’s.
6. The Presidents re-affirmed the need to ensure that the mechanisms for the management of relations between the two countries were fully utilised with a view to further expanding, strengthening and improving upon the already outstanding relations between the two countries.A
The Heads of State reviewed and exchanged views on the development and strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries. To this end, the following priority areas of cooperation were highlighted: trade and investment, energy, transport, immigration, agriculture, environment and tourism, education and capacity building, labour, justice, and defence.
8.The two Presidents recommitted themselves to continue working together to further enhance mutually beneficial relations.
9. The following Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding, strengthening cooperation between the two countries, were signed in the presence of the Heads of State:
Agreement on the Return of Namibian Birth, Marriage and Death Records,
Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic Consultations.
Following the signing of the Agreement on the Return of Namibian Birth, Marriage and Death Records, His Excellency President Thabo Mbeki handed over the records.
The Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the ongoing annual Bilateral Heads of State Economic Meetings, and the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security. However, they noted that there was a need to ensure that other issues which did not fall within the ambit of these meetings continued to receive attention.
They noted with appreciation, the tremendous progress made in economic cooperation between South Africa and Namibia, especially in view of the enormous success of the International Investors’ Conference which the Presidents jointly officially opened on 31 October 2007 in Windhoek.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba briefed President Mbeki on political and economic developments in Namibia.
President Thabo Mbeki, in turn, briefed his counterpart on the current political and economic situation in South Africa.
The Presidents exchanged views on the economic and political developments in the continent and the region. President Pohamba expressed appreciation of the facilitation role played by South Africa in Zimbabwe, as appointed by the SADC Summit.
The Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the prevailing peace and political stability, as well as the holding of peaceful elections in the SADC region.
However, the Presidents expressed concern about the developments in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a result of rebel military activities. They encouraged SADC member states to continue supporting the Government of the DRC to consolidate peace and stability in that country.
The Heads of State welcomed progress made on the implementation process of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on the Sudan (CPA), especially the acceptance by the Sudanese Government to have the AU/UN Hybrid Force deployed in the Darfur region. Notwithstanding the above, the Presidents expressed concern about the recent loss of life of AU Peacekeepers in that region. They also called upon all parties in the Sudan to recommit themselves to the implementation of the CPA to its spirit and letter, as it is the only viable option to the resolution of the conflict in the country.
His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, expressed his gratitude to His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba, the Government and the people of the Republic of Namibia, for the hospitality extended to him, Madam Mbeki and his delegation during their stay in Namibia.
His Excellency President Thabo Mbeki invited His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, to pay a State Visit to the Republic of South Africa on a date to be mutually agreed, which President Pohamba happily accepted.
DONE AT WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA, ON 31 OCTOBER 2007.
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
