Joint communiqué on President Jacob Zuma’s working visit to Guinea

Joint Communiqué

1. At the invitation of his brother and friend, His Excellency Professor Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea, His Excellency Mr. Jacob ZUMA, President of the Republic of South Africa, leading an important delegation, undertook a working and friendly visit to the Republic of Guinea from 12^th to 13^th January, 2015.

2. This visit is within the framework of the consolidation of solidarity, friendship and brotherly co-operation which has always existed between the Republic of Guinea and the Republic of South Africa.

3. During this visit, the two Presidents exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest.

4. At the bilateral level, the two Head of States expressed satisfaction at the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation so happily existing between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to reinforce and consolidate them by regular holding of the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC).

5. During their discussions, the two Heads of State paid a vibrant tribute to late Nelson Mandela, pioneer of the struggle for the liberation of Africa.

6. On this occasion, the two Heads of State recalled the historical relations that have always existed between Guinea and South Africa.

7. H.E. President Zuma expressed gratitude to the people of Guinea for the support and solidarity extended to the people of South Africa during the struggle against apartheid.

8. The visit came at a time when the Guinean Government is engaged in the fight for the eradication of Ebola Virus in the Republic of Guinea.

9. In this regard, H.E. President Zuma conveyed to the people and Government of Guinea, a message of support, solidarity and compassion from the people and the Government of South Africa.

10. H.E President Zuma expressed the commitment of his Government to support the efforts of the Guinean Government in the fight to bring an end to the epidemic.

11. H.E. President Zuma further commended the efforts and courageous decisions of H.E. President Conde, aimed at giving a new impetus to the social and economic development of Guinea and assured him of the support of South Africa in the implementation of the socio-economic developmental projects of the Republic of Guinea.

12. On his turn, H.E. President Conde commended the efforts of H.E. President Zuma aimed at promoting social, economic and cultural development of his country, South Africa.

13. At the economic level, the two Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to reinforce relations between their two countries by encouraging private and public enterprises to further involve themselves in the building of a partnership which can be a model of south-south cooperation.

14. The two Heads of State underlined the importance of the role of Sub-Regional African organisations for economic integration, peace, security and stability.

15. At the international level, the two Presidents reaffirmed their support of the United Nations as a privileged and unavoidable framework of consultation for the reinforcement of peace and international security, promotion of self-determination and advancement of sustainable development.

16. The two Heads of State highlighted the development agenda beyond 2015 and the need of all member states to harmonise their efforts for a more equitable and fair world.

17. The two Heads of State also expressed their deep concern over threat presented to the world by terrorism and religious extremism.

18. They underlined that religious extremism constitute a serious danger to international security and in stability.

19. The two Heads of State also highlighted the need to put in place a global strategy involving the whole international community in the struggle to preserve peace, stability and development of the world.

20. The two Heads of State expressed their support and solidarity to countries which have recently been affected by violent terrorist actions. They condemned this violence and reiterated their determination to be part of any initiative aimed at preventing and combating terrorism and religious extremism”.

21. H.E. President Jacob Zuma and H.E President Alpha Conde noted with satisfaction their common views on the overall regional and the international issues raised as well as the perfect understanding and cordial atmosphere which prevailed during their discussion.

22. At the end of his stay in the Republic of Guinea, H.E. President Jacob Zuma expressed his gratitude to his Excellency Professor Alpha Conde and, through him, to the Government and the brotherly and sisterly people of Guinea for the warm welcome as well as hospitality accorded to him and his delegation.

23. H.E. President Jacob Zuma extended an invitation to H.E. President Alpha Conde to pay a working and friendly visit to South Africa.

24. The invitation was accepted and the date thereof will be determined mutually through diplomatic channels.