President Mbeki to host President Joseph Kabila for the SA-DRC Joint Commission

Pretoria - South African President Thabo Mbeki will on Thursday 3 April host DRC President Joseph Kabila for the 5th Session of the South Africa – Democratic Republic of Congo Binational Commission (SA-DRC BNC), at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

President Mbeki will host this session of the SA-DRC BNC within the context of South Africa’s commitment to strengthen bilateral political, economic and trade relations with the DRC with a view to advancing the African developmental agenda.

President Mbeki’s delegation will include Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Mosiuoa Lekota, Jeff Radebe, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Bridgette Mabandla, Naledi Pandor, Mandisi Mpahlwa, Buyelwa Sonjica, and the Minister of Home Affairs Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

MINISTERIAL SESSION OF THE SA-DRC BINATIONAL COMMISSION

Acting Foreign Minister Zola Skweyiya will co-chair, together with DRC’S Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi, the Ministerial Meeting of the SA-DRC Binational Commission at the Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria on  Wednesday, 2 April 2008.

The Ministerial Session will discuss and deliberate upon proposals to be tabled during the Heads of State Session of the BNC scheduled for Thursday 3 April.

In this regard, the Ministers are expected to make recommendations to the Heads of State on:

• The status of cooperation in the Political and Diplomatic areas, including the capacity building project in the DRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the public service census project, population and immigration matters;
• Defence and Security co-operation, including strategic security sector reform projects;
• Economy, finance and infrastructure co-operation, including spatial development initiatives, mining, geology and metallurgy, energy, civil aviation, technical assistance in financial administration and agriculture;
• Social and humanitarian affairs which includes co-operation in the fields of education, and humanitarian and health projects; and
• How current projects support the development priorities of the DRC Government and the identification of possible additional projects to this effect. 

South Africa’s assistance to the DRC is informed by its vision of an African Renaissance characterised by peace, stability and security, growth and socio-economic development for the African Continent.

Media Programme for the 5th SA-DRC Binational Commission, Wednesday 2 – Thursday 3 April 2008

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

01 April 2008