and counterpart from Czech Republic Helena Bambasova, Imbizo Media Centre, Cape
Town
5 June 2007
Comments by Deputy Minister Pahad
Welcome and introductory remarks
Deputy Minister from the Czech Republic has been visiting us. As you know,
this follows a very successful State Visit by President Vaclav Klaus to South
Africa in December 2006. You would know that the Czech Republic is one of the
new members of the European Union (EU) and one of the more successful members
of the European Union.
Our relations, politically and economically have been growing from strength
to strength. Our economic relations have now reached US$370 million in 2006
which is quite impressive seeing that we have not had any relations until 1994
and the potential for growth is excellent in every field.
The Czech Republic historically, as Czechoslovakia and now the Czech
Republic, has been very involved in African issues. Deputy Minister Bambasova
is also the Deputy Minister dealing with all countries with the exception of
those in Europe and therefore is responsible for all developmental projects of
the Czech Republic in Africa and elsewhere. This is quite substantial given the
size of the economy, etc. Czech Republic is involved in Angola, Namibia,
Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, in addition to others.
South Africa is the largest economic partner of the Czech Republic in
Africa.
We have had extensive discussions about our bilateral relations which we
think has the potential for substantial growth in the fields of agriculture,
science and technology, health, tourism, in addition to others. We have also
discussed developments in Africa including conflict resolution. The Czech
Republic is involved in the DRC with the United Nations Mission in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (Monuc) forces and indeed in the situation in the
Middle East, Eastern and Central Europe.
This has been an excellent opportunity to get an understanding of the Czech
Republic about the situation in their region and to share our understanding of
the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The Deputy Minister
has visited Mozambique and Zambia in addition to South Africa. So we discussed
SADC, the need for increased co-operation to fast track SADC's integration and
development programmes and how to co-operate more to ensure the successful
implementation of New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad).
Welcome Minister and it has been an excellent opportunity to renew our
discussions at a Foreign Affairs level and we hope your visit will open up
other opportunities for political and economic links between our two
countries.
Comments by Deputy Minister Bambasova
Thank you very much Mr Minister.
I would subscribe to all you have said and do not have much more to add. We
are very pleased that a relation between our two countries are flourishing and
as Deputy Minister has said, the economic co-operation is growing, the numbers
concerning mutual trade has multiplied over the past decade of our co-operation
and the visit of our President last December brought a new momentum to our
bilateral relations. I was glad to be able to come and see how to sustain this
momentum.
As far as the bilateral relations between our two countries go, I feel they
are going very well. I was also extremely pleased to have the opportunity to
discuss and share our views on the continent of Africa as well as other issues
of interest to the international community. The Czech Republic respects South
Africa as a dominating power politically and economically in Africa and such a
position creates a responsibility. We look at South Africa as a country that
is, together with others, sharing the responsibility for Africa's peaceful and
prosperous development. Discussing all these topics and talking about what can
be done at the international level is very important for the Czech Republic as
a country and as a member of the European Union.
Lastly, but not least, for the Czech Republic as a candidate for the
non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 2008 to 2009.
As you know, South Africa is a member of the Security Council 2007 to 2008 and
if we succeed with our candidacy during this autumn, we will be colleagues in
the Security Council in 2008 and it has been valuable to discuss our mutual
agenda.
Questions and answers
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, I wonder if you have had an opportunity to
discuss the reform of the UN Security Council.
Answer: This is a matter that is still on our agenda. As the Minister has
said, bilaterally and as members of the European Union, the Czech Republic is
very involved in this matter, in addition to their candidacy for the
non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council. We have not yet discussed it but
it is on our agenda.
Question: Deputy Minister, do you have any comments on the 40th anniversary
of the occupation of Palestine and Palestinian territories by Israel?
Answer: The Minister also deals with this matter. Considering today marks
the 40th anniversary of the six-day war and also with regard to the serious
developments in the region, this is high on our agenda for discussions. The
Minister is deeply involved with this matter as part of the EU and seeing that
the EU is part of the Quartet. We will exchange ideas on this, in addition to
the Lebanese situation that is also tracing a very dangerous path.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
5 June 2007
