Joint Communiqué: Fifth Chile-South Africa Political Consultative Mechanism (JCM) Meeting
The Fifth Chile-South Africa Political Consultative Mechanism meeting was held on 5 March 2015, in Santiago, co-chaired by the Acting Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of Chile, Mr Alfredo Labbé, and the Vice Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mr Luwellyn Landers.
During their discussions, the parties reviewed the progress of the commitments reached in August 2014 during the State Visit to South Africa of the President of the Republic of Chile, Ms Michelle Bachelet and referred to the eventual State Visit to Chile of the President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma during 2015.
The parties highlighted the similar views they share regarding the global agenda, which is especially relevant given that South Africa is the chair of the G-77 plus China Group in a year when the post-2015 Agenda is being debated. On matters related to cooperation, opportunities were explored in the fields of social development, mining, science, technology and innovation, agriculture and education. In this last area, the parties highlighted the importance of the Republic of Chile-Nelson Mandela Scholarship Programme, through which the Government of Chile will receive South African professionals to pursue postgraduate studies in Chilean universities. In the cultural field, the motion of building a monument to honour Nelson Mandela in a prominent location in the Santiago commune was addressed.
As for the promotion of trade and investment, the Chilean Delegation stated its interest in evaluating the possibility of signing a free trade agreement with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), of which South Africa is its main economy. The parties recognized the work of the Chile-South Africa Joint Commission for Trade and Investment, created in 2012, during the fourth Political Consultative Mechanism meeting.
A business seminar was held in the framework of this current Consultative meeting, where significant conclusions were reached regarding the advantages and opportunities in bilateral trade.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, 082 884 5974
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