Republic of Namibia by his Excellency Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic
of South Africa Windhoek, Namibia
31 October 2007
1. At the invitation of His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the
Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of
South Africa, paid a State Visit to the Republic of Namibia, from 30 to 31
October 2007. The invitation coincided with the opening of the International
Investment Conference co-hosted by the governments of Namibia and South Africa,
and opened by both Presidents.
2. The President of South Africa was accompanied by the First Lady, Madam
Zanele Mbeki, Cabinet Ministers and other senior government officials.
3. The Presidents held official talks at State House, at which President
Pohamba was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and other senior government
officials.
4. During the talks, which were held in a friendly and constructive
atmosphere, the Heads of State reviewed the state of relations between the two
countries and also exchanged views on regional and international issues of
mutual interest, and a wide range of other concerns.
5. The Heads of State expressed satisfaction on the excellent state of
relations between the two countries, in particular, at the extensive
co-operation taking place at various levels, including government to
government, regional/provincial and local authorities, the private sector and
non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
6. The Presidents re-affirmed the need to ensure that the mechanisms for the
management of relations between the two countries were fully utilised with a
view to further expanding, strengthening and improving upon the already
outstanding relations between the two countries.
7. The Heads of State reviewed and exchanged views on the development and
strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries. To this end,
the following priority areas of co-operation were highlighted: trade and
investment, energy, transport, immigration, agriculture, environment and
tourism, education and capacity building, labour, justice, and defence.
8. The two Presidents recommitted themselves to continue working together to
further enhance mutually beneficial relations.
9. The following Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),
strengthening co-operation between the two countries, were signed in the
presence of the Heads of State:
a. Agreement on the return of Namibian birth, marriage and death
records
b. Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic Consultations.
10. Following the signing of the Agreement on the return of Namibian birth,
marriage and death records, His Excellency President Thabo Mbeki handed over
the records.
11. The Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the ongoing annual
Bilateral Heads of State Economic meetings and the Joint Permanent Commission
on Defence and Security. However, they noted that there was a need to ensure
that other issues which did not fall within the ambit of these meetings
continued to receive attention.
12. They noted with appreciation, the tremendous progress made in economic
cooperation between South Africa and Namibia, especially in view of the
enormous success of the International Investors' Conference which the
Presidents jointly officially opened on 31 October 2007 in Windhoek.
13. President Hifikepunye Pohamba briefed President Mbeki on political and
economic developments in Namibia.
14. President Thabo Mbeki, in turn, briefed his counterpart on the current
political and economic situation in South Africa.
15. The Presidents exchanged views on the economic and political
developments in the continent and the region. President Pohamba expressed
appreciation of the facilitation role played by South Africa in Zimbabwe, as
appointed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit.
16. The Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the prevailing peace and
political stability, as well as the holding of peaceful elections in the SADC
region.
17. However, the Presidents expressed concern about the developments in the
eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a result of rebel
military activities. They encouraged SADC member states to continue supporting
the government of the DRC to consolidate peace and stability in that
country.
18. The Heads of State welcomed progress made on the implementation process
of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on the Sudan (CPA), especially the
acceptance by the Sudanese Government to have the African Union/ United Nations
(AU/UN) Hybrid Force deployed in the Darfur region. Notwithstanding the above,
the Presidents expressed concern about the recent loss of life of AU
Peacekeepers in that region. They also called upon all parties in the Sudan to
recommit themselves to the implementation of the CPA to its spirit and letter,
as it is the only viable option to the resolution of the conflict in the
country.
19. His Excellency Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa,
expressed his gratitude to His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba, the
Government and the people of the Republic of Namibia, for the hospitality
extended to him, Madam Mbeki and his delegation during their stay in
Namibia.
20. His Excellency President Thabo Mbeki invited His Excellency Hifikepunye
Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, to pay a State Visit to the
Republic of South Africa on a date to be mutually agreed, which President
Pohamba happily accepted.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
31 October 2007
