Joint Communiqué of the RSA - Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral Meeting held in Pretoria on 3 November 2009

1. At the invitation of H.E.  Mr Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, the President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E Mr Hifikepunye Pohamba, visited South Africa on 3 November 2009 on the occasion of the annual South Africa / Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral Meeting that was held in Pretoria, South Africa.
   
   
2. H.E. President Pohamba led a delegation consisting of 7 Ministers and Senior Government Officials from various Ministries in Namibia involved in various sectors under which the two countries cooperate.
   
   
3. H.E President Zuma on the other hand was accompanied by 5 Ministers and Senior Officials from various Government Departments that are involved in joint projects with the Republic of Namibia.
   
   
4. The RSA-Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral Meeting was preceded by preparatory meetings by the Ministers of Trade and Industry of the two countries, as well as the Senior Officials responsible for the implementation of bilateral projects.
   
   
5. The two Heads of State reviewed progress that has been made since the last meeting which was held in Windhoek on 5 August 2008. The two countries cooperate in several areas such as Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Energy, Environment and Tourism, Science and Technology, and Transport and Communication.
   
   
6. The two Heads of State expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in the implementation of bilateral projects which are designed to address the development challenges of their respective countries. In this regard, the two Heads of State stressed the importance of the Heads of State Economic Bilateral Forum as a mechanism to foster closer cooperation between the two countries. In this regard, the two Heads of State directed that all identified bilateral projects should be fully implemented.
   
   
7. The two Heads of State further noted the progress registered in integrating the regional infrastructure through Spatial Development Initiatives such as the Trans-Kalahari Rail Initiative linking three countries South Africa, Botswana and Namibia; as well as the Trans-Kunene corridor further linking Angola and the DRC in the north.
   
   
8. The two Heads of State also agreed to cooperate closely in the development of sufficient energy resources to meet the long term requirements of both countries.
   
   
9. They also agreed to encourage people-to-people cooperation through cultural, scientific and educational exchange programmes and tourism.  In this regard, the two Heads of State highlighted the importance of tourism in view of the upcoming 2010 World Soccer Cup in particular.
   
   
10. The two Heads of State also discussed issues of mutual interest, including regional and multilateral cooperation. Both Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to SADC regional integration and reiterated their commitment to working together in promoting the SADC Agenda. In this regard, the two Heads of State reflected on the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union and reiterated their position regarding the implications of this Agreement on the SADC regional integration. Both Heads of State agreed to work together to further engage the EU on this matter.
    
    
11. The two Heads of State expressed their commitment to African unity and integration within the framework of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
    
    
12. With regard to international matters, the two Heads of State reiterated their common view on the need to reform the multilateral institutions including the United Nations Security Council and the Bretton Woods Institutions.
    
    
13. The two Heads of State welcomed the international efforts that seek to address the global financial crisis which has negatively affected developing countries in particular.
    
    
14. H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba on behalf of the Namibian delegation and the people of Namibia expressed his appreciation to H.E. President Jacob Zuma and the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa for the warm welcome and the hospitality accorded to his delegation.
    
    
15. In conclusion, both Heads of State agreed that the next annual meeting of the South Africa / Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral Meeting will be held in Namibia on a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.

Done in Pretoria, Presidential Guesthouse

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Private X152
Pretoria, 0001

03 November 2009