Joint Communiqué at the conclusion of the Bilateral Discussions between Hon. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa and her Tanzanian Counterpart, Hon. Bernard K. Membe on 13th August 2011, Pretoria, South Africa

1. The Minister of International Relations and Co-operation of the Republic of South Africa, Ms M. Nkoana-Mashabane,  hosted the Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe, who undertook  a one day Working Visit to South Africa on Saturday, 13th  August 2011.

2. Minister Membe was accompanied by the Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Prof. Jumanne Maghembe.

3. The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of South Africa and Tanzania was held on 13th August 2011 following a directive given by their respective Presidents to convene a Ministerial Meeting for the purpose of concretising the Agreements agreed to during the recent State Visit to South Africa by H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania.

4. The two Ministers used the occasion to reflect on the recent State Visit to South Africa by H.E. President Kikwete and discussed modalities to implement the signed Agreement establishing the Bi-National Commission (BNC). The Ministers also discussed the composition of the commissions of the BNC.

5. On the multilateral front, the two Ministers exchanged views in respect of mutual cooperation at regional level, especially within the SADC framework. Also, they discussed broad issues affecting the continent within the context of the AU, more specifically, the conflict situations in the continent.

6. In this connection, the two Ministers stressed the centrality of SADC in the two countries’ efforts to forge regional integration in Southern Africa.  They also emphasized the need for the AU to remain seized in those conflict situations.

7. The discussion between the two Ministers was followed by the signing of the MoU on Agriculture. The signing of this instrument is a clear indication of the collective determination of the two countries to take the relations to higher levels for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples.

8. The Ministers explored ways to concretise cooperation in the key bilateral priority areas such as cooperation in agriculture, transport, social development, custom administration and security; particularly piracy.

9. In this regard, the Ministers encouraged the relevant authorities in their respective countries to finalize Agreements or MOUs that are yet to be signed so as to further enhance cooperation between the two countries. Those Agreements or MoUs are:

• Agreement on Mutual Assistance between Customs Administration
• Bilateral Air Services Agreement 
• Memorandum of Understanding on Transport Related Matters
• Memorandum of Understanding on Social Development

10. The two Ministers noted with appreciation the strong trade cooperation between the two countries and encouraged them to enhance and consolidate that cooperation.

11. In conclusion, the two Ministers agreed to meet on regular basis to monitor progress in the implementation of the signed Agreements. They further expressed satisfaction and pleasure on the bilateral discussion that was conducted so as to reaffirm the longstanding relations that so happily exist between the two countries. 

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale

15 August 2011