Minister of Defence Celso Amorim,
Lt General Jose Carlos De Nardi Joint Chief of Staff,
Fleet Admiral Carlos Augusto de Sousa Head of Strategic Affairs in the Ministry of Defence, and leader of the Brazilian Delegation,
Lt General Zimpande Msimang, Chief of the South African Air‐Force and leader of the South African delegation,
Members of the Brazilian General Staff and Flag Officers,
Members of the South African General Staff and Flag Officers,
Senior Civilian Members of the Brazilian and South African Armed Forces,
Ladies and gentlemen.
This 1st Joint Defence Committee between our two countries is a very important milestone in the overall relationship we have had with you since the democratisation of our country in 1994.
It is a forum that provides us with the opportunity to deliberate in an open and frank manner on all issues on how to address our similar challenges. It is a platform that I believe will improve our understanding of pressing security challenges that face our defence force establishments in today’s dynamic and ever changing world.
Ours is a forum that is about dealing with the defence and security issues that affect our defence capabilities and how together we can enhance our defence forces, through exchanging information and finding solutions to those challenges. Through the Joint Defence Committee we have to challenge our assumptions, conventional thinking, and debate on key issues that will make our defence forces to operate in an effective and efficient manner.
It is important that we do in deed improve this relationship beyond the navy and the air‐force as stated by the Minister in his opening remarks. I want to assure the Minister that having discussed this matter with our delegation, we will forthwith ensure that all services participate fully in this defence committee and give priority to all the areas of cooperation that have been agreed upon in this meeting.
Our cooperation in the areas of the air‐force and navy cannot be over emphasised, but I am pleased to learn that our army in particular have now identified areas of cooperation which will incorporate other services and divisions. This for me is a step in the right direction because the areas of cooperation in the field of jungle warfare and riverine operations are critical as we are involved in peace keeping operations in the continent where the terrain demands such experience.
I would like to reiterate our commitment to assist our Brazilian colleagues where we can in the build‐up to the FIFA World Cup 2014 which you will be hosting soon. We believe that we can share the experience gained when we hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and I to in motion the process of a meetings between ourselves and our Brazilian counterparts to share that experience when we get back home.
I am happy to see that the work of the defence industry work group on various defence industry related matters between the South African defence industry association and the Brazilian Armed Forces is vigorously pursued.
The feasibility of cooperation in the development of technology in the areas of missiles, radar, radios and electronic warfare amongst others, will go a very long way in enabling us to have indigenous products which will serve the best interest of our defence forces.
Accordingly we see Brazil as very strategic partner and that both South Africa and Brazil are partners of great potential and have a significant role to play in their respective regions and contributing to world peace.
Our joint maritime presence in the West coast will go a long way in creating a safe and secure trade route for the benefit of our economies and that of countries in that region. This will further enhance our interoperatability of our doctrine and vessels.
Clearly our world today is somewhat shaped by emerging economic blocs, and how do we as South‐South nations respond to these developments. We must continue to consolidate regional economic integration, strengthen our bilateral relations and deepen our sense of unity and solidarity.
There is, of course, a difference between the things we can do by ourselves, and the things that require a collaborated framework to enable greater progress in our work, such as establishing a good communication and information sharing regime to enable us to have maximum success in the work we do. This in our view is that platform that establishes that communication and information sharing regime and we must use it to the benefit of our defence forces.
The capacity to implement the outcome of this session formulated by ourselves is the only way we will be confirming that we can create our own destination. Without over committing ourselves to projects that we cannot deliver timeously, the Joint Defence Committee should serve as a critical forum through which we can share ideas and develop common positions to be pursued at our regional structures.
I am confident that the ideas shared this week will set the tone and help shape the upcoming 2nd Session of the Joint Defence Committee which will be held in South Africa.
We look forward to you coming to our country having experienced the hospitality that was afforded to us by you. Most importantly it is the work that comes out of these sessions that makes us look forward to holding the next session with you.
As we leave here today, I thank you for challenging yourselves and putting yourselves out there in order to better our defence forces. On behalf of the South African Delegation, I would like to thank the Minister for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to the South African delegation.
We confirm that through the office of the Defence Advisor of the RSA to Brazil, the senior officials of the Department of Defence and the South African National Defence Force have received invitations to LAAD 2013.
Just in case I have miss the privilege of returning to your glorious country to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup games in your native land, may I take this opportunity to wish you all the success in your preparation and your national team’s performance in the tournament. May the 2014 World Cup remain in Brazil, but watch out for South Africa, it is a country that believes in miracles.
I thank you very much!
