South Africa and Mozambique agree to elevate Relations
Relations between South Africa and Mozambique will soon be structured in the form of a Bi-National Commission (BNC) chaired by the Heads of State in the two countries, following a decision to take relations to a higher level, during a two day state visit by President Jacob Zuma.
The two Presidents agreed to elevate the levels of engagements to the level of a BNC chaired by the Heads of State.
President Zuma concluded the visit this afternoon and headed back to South Africa.
A number of agreements were signed during the visit. These included the following;
- Agreement on the establishment of the South Africa-Mozambique Bi-National Commission;
- Agreement on the Regular Diplomatic Consultations;
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Forestry Based Industries;
- Programme of Cooperation in the field of Arts, Culture and Heritage for 2012 -2014;
- Agreement on Cooperation of Frequency Bands;
- MoU on Cooperation in the field of Communications, and
- MoU between the Governments of Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania on Maritime Security Cooperation.
South Africa and Mozambique continue to enjoy a strong relationship based on geographical proximity and historic ties, with Mozambique having played a key role during the struggles against apartheid and colonial oppression.
President Zuma held official talks with President Guebuza where they reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
On the bilateral relations, the two Presidents observed with appreciation that a lot of progress has been made in terms of advancement of political, economical and social cooperation between the two countries.
With respect to economic cooperation, the two Heads of State noted the increase in the trade volumes and investments between the two countries. In this regard, the two Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together to facilitate interactions of business communities of the respective countries with a view to exploiting the available opportunities for closer cooperation in key areas such as energy, mineral resources, tourism, transport and communications, science and technology and trade and industry.
On the sidelines of the State visit, a Business Forum was organised between the South African and Mozambican business communities, addressed by the two Heads of State. The Business Forum brought together a large number of business people from both countries and explored further areas of the trade and investments.
During the visit, President Zuma also received one of the highest honours accorded to a foreign Head of State, the Freedom of the City of Maputo. He also laid a wreath at the Heroes’ Acre in honour of those Mozambicans who laid down their lives for freedom and visited the construction site of the Matola Raid Monument and Interpretive Centre, which is being constructed in honour of the South African Freedom Fighters who died at the hands of the former apartheid forces.
President Zuma was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Sizakele Zuma, Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation; Arts and Culture; Defence and Military Veterans; Science and Technology; Energy; and Communications, as well as Deputy Ministers of Trade and Industry, Energy and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Enquiries: Clayson Monyela at 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Pretoria, RSA
14 December 2011
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