30 August 2006
The South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has today, 30
August 2006, concluded her visit to Kigali Rwanda where she led a South African
delegation to the fourth session of the South Africa /Rwanda Joint Commission
for Co-operation (JCC).
Minister Dlamini Zuma's delegation included the Minister of Trade and
Industry, Mandisi Mpahlwa, the Minister of Home Affairs, Nosiviwe
MapisaâNqakula, the Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba and
senior government officials.
South Africa's participation at the JCC comes within the context of its
stated commitment to consolidate the African agenda through strengthening
relations with other African countries and as part of South - South
co-operation.
The South African delegation of Ministers also paid a courtesy call to
President Paul Kagame and exchanged views on strengthening co-operation between
the two countries.
The JCC which serves as a framework for strategic partnership between the
two countries agreed to devise strategies to enhance the private sector's
participation in this endeavour. The joint communiqué further recorded
satisfaction with progress in the wide scope of areas covered under the JCC
such as co-operation of the two foreign affairs working groups, home affairs,
trade and industry, financial services and receiver of revenue, agriculture and
land affairs, including infrastructure.
A Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Co-operation aimed at
strengthening economic cooperation was also signed by the respective Ministers
of Trade and Industry, M Mpahlwa, and his Rwanda counterpart, Minister Vincent
Karega.
The fifth session of the Rwanda/South Africa JCC shall take place in South
Africa in 2007.
Minister Dlamini Zuma and her delegation of Ministers are expected to return
to South Africa today, Wednesday, 30 August 2006.
Enquires:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
30 August 2006
Source: SAPA
