Joint Communique on the occasion of a State Visit to South Africa by His Excellency, Cde, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, 7 to 10 April 2015.
1. At the invitation of His Excellency, Cde, Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Cde, Robert Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe paid a three day State Visit to South Africa from 7 to 10 April 2015.
2. President Robert Mugabe was accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Grace Mugabe, (10) eight Ministers, senior Government officials and a Business delegation.
3. The two Heads of State held official talks during which they reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues. They expressed satisfaction at the strong bilateral relations existing between the two countries and reiterated the commitment to continue to enhance these relations.
4. The two Heads of State acknowledged that the support rendered by Zimbabwe during the liberation struggle of South Africa has reinforced already existing historical, cultural and kinship ties and solidarity between the peoples of the two countries.
5. The two Heads of State noted, with appreciation the expansive nature of the bilateral cooperation which include amongst others, trade and investment, mining, agriculture, tourism, energy, infrastructure development, defence and security.
6. The State Visit afforded the South African and Zimbabwean Governments an opportunity to sign Agreements and MoUs aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation. In this regard, the following Agreements and MoUs were signed:
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe on the establishment of a Bi-National Commission;
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe regarding Mutual Assistance between their Customs Administrations;
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Zimbabwe on Cooperation on Water Resources Management and the establishment and functioning of the Joint Water Commission.
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe on Diplomatic Consultations;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe on Economic and Trade Cooperation.
7. The two Heads of State welcomed the establishment of the Bi-National Commission as a framework that will elevate the bilateral relations to a strategic partnership consistent with the historical, political, economic and social ties that happily exist between the two countries and peoples.
8. The two Heads of State addressed a Business Forum which was attended by heads of parastatals as well as captains of industry and heads of business organisations from the two countries. The Forum agreed to strengthen economic cooperation through increased trade and investment for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.
9. The two Heads of State welcomed the successful holding of elections in Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, Zambia and Lesotho as contributing to the deepening of democracy in the region. They also congratulated the people of Nigeria for holding peaceful and credible elections.
10. The two Heads of State also exchanged views on the political and security development in the region. In this regard, they reaffirmed their commitment to working together in pursuit of sustainable peace and stability in the region.
11. The two Heads of State also expressed their concern on the continuing peace and security challenges in the Continent, particularly the emergence of extremism and terrorism. They strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Kenya which resulted in the loss of innocent lives.
12. The two Heads of State expressed their deep commitment to African unity and integration within the framework of the Constitutive Act of the African Union and further expressed their support of the objectives of Agenda 2063.
13. His Excellency, President Zuma, once again, congratulated His Excellency, President Mugabe on his simultaneous Chairmanship of SADC and the African Union. In this regard, His Excellency, President Zuma reassured His Excellency, President Mugabe of his support in carrying out this responsibility.
14. The two Heads of State reiterated their common view on the need to reform the multilateral institutions including the United Nations Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions to better represent the interests of the developing world.
15. The two Heads of State welcomed the upcoming 10th Anniversary of the New Asian- African Strategic Partnership and the 60th Anniversary of the Bandung Conference. They pledged to work together to strengthen the Africa-Asia solidarity cooperation in order to enhance the voice of these two regions in global affairs.
16. In conclusion, His Excellency, President Mugabe thanked His Excellency, President Zuma and his Government for the measures taken by South Africa to regularise the status of Zimbabwean citizens living in South Africa.
17. His Excellency, President Mugabe furthermore, expressed his appreciation to the Government and the People of the Republic of South Africa for the warm welcome and hospitality which was accorded to him and his delegation.
18. His Excellency, President Mugabe extended an invitation to His Excellency, President Zuma to visit Zimbabwe on a date to be mutually determined through diplomatic channels.
Done at Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
9 April 2015
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