Agreements signed between the South African Government and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo during a Visit to South Africa in November 2009

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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 59 †

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 5 OF 12 MARCH 2010

Mrs E C van Lingen (DA-EC) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

1. Whether any agreements were signed between the Government and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo during their visit to South Africa in November 2009 if not, (a) why not and (b) what was the reason for their visit; if so, what are the relevant details ?

Reply:

1. No

a) Agreements were signed between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo during the 5th Session of the Binational Commission (BNC) which was held in South Africa from 27 to 30 October 2009. The two countries did not contemplate the signing of any agreement during this Session.

b) Since the establishment of the Binational Commission in January 2004, several sectoral agreements were signed between the two countries.

The focus and purpose of the 5th Session was to promote political, economic and social cooperation between the two countries and most significantly to assess progress on the implementation of signed Agreements with a view to assist the DRC in her Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development Programmes. 

CO84E

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