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Foreign Affairs Director-General Leads SA Delegation to SA Pakistan
Joint Commission Pretoria - Director -General of Foreign Affairs Dr Ayanda
Ntsaluba will lead a South African Delegation to Pakistan to engage in the First
Session of the Bilateral Joint Commission which will be held in Islamabad from
11-13 March 2007. The Joint Commission will be co-chaired by Dr Ntsaluba and the
Pakistani Foreign Secretary, Mr Riaz Mohammad Khan. The First Session of
the Bilateral Joint Commission between South Africa and Pakistan is seen as an
important step to normalise bilateral relations since they became strained in
1999 following the suspension of Pakistan from the decision-making councils of
the Commonwealth after a military coup. This suspension was lifted in May 2004.
The first session was scheduled for the end of 2005, but could not take place
due to the earthquake aftermath in Pakistan. Director-General Dr Ayanda
Ntsaluba's visit to Pakistan comes within the context of South Africa's commitment
to consolidate South-South relations for increased market and trade access. Other
issues to be addressed include mechanisms to institute a regular dialogue forum
on matters of regional/global importance and increased interaction at various
structures of governance. The sub-committee on Trade, Economic & Technical
Co-operation will be exploring opportunities for South Africa in Pakistan and
working on the pending Trade Agreement, enhanced participation in business exhibitions
and fairs, agro-processing, etc. A Technical Visit by the Department of Trade
& Industry to Pakistan will also be undertaken. Opportunities in the area
of education will also be investigated through co-operation with Pakistani academic
institutions of high excellence and Pakistan has indicated that they would like
to contribute to ASGISA and JIPSA by providing skills on a vocational level. Other
sub-committees will hold discussions on visa regulations, defence matters, arts
and culture, sport co-operation. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa
Department
of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 9 March 2007
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