South Africa-Equatorial Guinea joint statement, 21 October 2011
1. At the invitation of His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, paid a State Visit to the Republic of South Africa from 21 to 22 October 2011.
2. His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo was accompanied by a high level delegation comprising of Ministers and Senior Government Officials.
3. During the visit, which was aimed at further strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation that exist between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea, the two Heads of State held substantive and fruitful one-on-one discussions, during which the ways and means of further strengthening bilateral ties were addressed.
4. The two Heads of State expressed appreciation for the excellent ties of friendship and cooperation which exist between the countries and their peoples and reaffirmed their willingness to further deepen them.
In this regard, the Presidents of South Africa and Equatorial Guinea urged their respective Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation and of Foreign Affairs to launch the Joint Commission for Cooperation in March 2012, in South Africa, which should be preceded by a Senior Officials Meeting in Malabo, in December 2011. This will act as an efficacious instrument for the implementation of bilateral agreements and the management and coordination of cooperation between the two fraternal countries.
5. His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma commended the work done with dynamism and determination by His Excellency, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in implementing his government’s developmental programmes, which are aimed at uplifting the lives of ordinary the people of Equatorial Guinea as well as his decisive leadership as the African Union Chair.
6. On his part, His Excellency President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo commended the role that His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma, played in resolving the post-election crisis in Cote d’Ivoire, as well as the search for a speedy resolution to the crisis in Libya.
7. Many issues of common interest at international and regional levels were also discussed. The two Heads of State stressed the necessity of strengthening the African Union and sub-regional organisations in Africa with a view to promoting peace, security, stability and sustainable development. To this end, they strongly urged the international community to support the AU and UN efforts in settling the socio-political crisis in some African countries and the world at large.
8. In the international arena, the two Heads of State reaffirmed the necessity to introduce, without further delay, reforms within the United Nations System, particularly with regard to the Security Council.
9. During his stay in the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, among other activities, laid a wreath at Freedom Park.
10. At the end of his visit to South Africa, His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo expressed profound gratitude to his Brother, His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, to the Government, and to the People of South Africa, for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and to his delegation.
For further information please contact Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, on 082 884 5974.
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