Joint Press Statement
25 August 2015
Joint Press Statement on the Working Visit of Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to the Republic of Niger, 25 August 2015
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, visited Niger for bilateral consultations with Ms Aichatou Boulama Kane, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, African Integration and Nigeriens Living Abroad of the Republic of Niger on 25 August 2015.
At the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, African Integration and Nigeriens Living Abroad of the Republic of Niger, Ms Aichatou BOULAMA KANE, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Ms Maite NKOANA-MASHABANE, accompanied by senior officials, paid a working visit to the Republic of Niger from 24 to 25 August 2015.
During their official talks, the two Ministers reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. They expressed satisfaction at the warm and fraternal bilateral relations that exist between the two countries. On bilateral co-operation, both Ministers underscored the bonds of friendship that exist between the two countries, founded on shared values of mutual respect, commitment to democracy, good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
Ministers NKOANA-MASHABANE and BOULAMA KANE expressed their mutual satisfaction with the current state of bilateral cooperation, as conducted within the framework of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) and emphasized their determination to further strengthen and expand cooperation between the two countries.
The Ministers welcomed the decision to broaden cooperation to new sectors, including strategic minerals, health and Economic and Trade matters. In this regard a technical team from the Niger Ministry of Mines has been invited to visit South Africa and a technical team from the South African National Institute of Communicable Diseases will visit Niger soon to evaluate cooperation possibilities. Training for Niger health experts in South Africa is also foreseen. The Ministers further agreed that the Second Session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation will be hosted by Niger during the course of 2016 at a mutually agreed time.
Concerning the security situation in the sub-region, the two Ministers expressed similar views in relation to the fight against international terrorism in general, and particularly the fight against extremist activities against Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Her Excellency Ms. Maite NKOANA-MASHABANE expressed her sympathy to the Government and families of victims of these extremist attacks in this regard.
In addressing the issue of health, Her Excellency Aichatou BOULAMA KANE, expressed her gratitude to her South African counterpart for the support of the Republic of South Africa in this field by providing technical assistance regarding possible renewed meningitis outbreaks in Niger.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane concluded her visit to Niger with a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Niger, His Excellency Mr Brigi Rafini.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
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