Status on the Binational Commission between South Africa and Namibia

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 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

 FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 1857

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO .. OF 9 NOVEMBER 2007

Mrs SM Camerer (DA) to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs:

(1) Whether, in view of the recent official visit of the President to Namibia, her department has any plans to upgrade the Binational Commission with that country; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?

 Reply

Structured bilateral relations between South Africa and Namibia are at the highest level in the form of the Heads of States Economic Bilateral which meets once a year and addresses issues like trade coordination and economic exchange. It also focuses on joint economic co-operation projects such as Spatial Development Initiatives, tourism, energy matters as well as matters related to Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and Southern African Development Communities (SADC). The 6 th Heads of States Economic Bilateral meeting between South Africa and Namibia was held in Pretoria on 11 October 2007.

It is therefore not necessary to upgrade the bilateral relations with Namibia since they are already at the highest level.

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