Joint Statement issued by the Governments of the United Mexican States and the Republic of South Africa on occasion of the Visit of Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, 3-5 August 2008

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka conducted a visit between 3-5 August, 2008 as part of President Felipe Calderon and President Thabo Mbeki’s commitment towards consolidating bilateral relations between Mexico and South Africa reached at their bilateral meeting during the G-8 summit held in Hokkaido, Japan, on July 8, 2008.

In this context of strengthening bilateral relations, the Deputy President also led a South African delegation to the 17th International Aids Conference under the theme ‘Universal Action Now’. The conference also dealt with issues of leadership for Aids Prevention, the fight against stigma, gender violence and homophobia, among others During the conference the Deputy President met with the Executive Directors of the UNAIDS and the Global Fund to discuss collaboration between the institutions and the South African National Aids Council (SANAC). The South African delegation comprised over government, civil society and the non-governmental organisations.
                                                                                                    
President Felipe Calderon and Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka recalled that the formalization of bilateral ties on October 26, 1993, marked the beginning of a new stage in our relations. In this context, they welcomed that the fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, will be commemorated on October 2008. They acknowledged the excellent level of political dialogue between Mexico and South Africa, which is reflected in the many common positions both countries share in a number of issues on the multilateral agenda.

President Calderon and Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka highlighted the need to identify new business and investment opportunities, as well as to promote wider and more balanced commercial exchanges through reciprocal visits to be held by official delegations and trade missions.

On poverty eradication programmes, President Calderon and Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka agreed to share experiences on the operation of social programs such as Oportunidades (Opportunities), Vivir Mejor as well as the Mexican experiences on micro-financing and financing for the construction industry and financing of social housing. They agreed that this work would be carried out under the framework of the Technical Cooperation Agreement in the Field of Social Development, signed in 2006.

They agreed on the importance of intensifying the scientific and technical cooperation, specifically relating to agriculture, water, biotechnology, environment and energy. In this regard they welcomed the forthcoming visit to Mexico by a delegation of South African scientists, which will take place from August 11-15, 2008.

During their meeting they also reaffirmed the commitment to jointly keep working within the G-5 group of nations, consisting of Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, China and India, to search for solutions to major international challenges such as global economic governance, food security, climate change and development. They also reiterated that this commitment included continuing the collaboration with the G-8 group.

In the regional context, President Calderon and Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka expressed the importance of the two countries sharing experiences especially on issues of economic integration, conflict resolutions, combating organized crime and the consolidation of institutions of governance.

President Calderon and Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka welcomed the decision to establish a Bi-National Commission to be co-chaired at the level of the deputy ministers of both countries. The first meeting will take place early in 2009 with the objective of establishing a long term comprehensive perspective for guiding our bilateral and multilateral relations. The Committee will constantly review the political economic and cultural cooperation. It will also focus on the regional and multilateral agendas. They also agreed on including issues of common interest such as human rights, sustainable development and migration flows.

President Calderon and Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka renewed their commitment to consolidating and strengthening relations between the Governments and peoples of Mexico and South Africa to the benefit of both countries.

Mexico City, August 5, 2008


Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

7 August 2008