Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Carlos Sersale di Cerisano signed a landmark
bilateral agreement in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations between two
countries
8 September 2006
Pretoria: Transport Minister Jeff Radebe and the Argentinean Ambassador to
South Africa, Mr Carlos Sersale di Cerisano, today signed a landmark bilateral
agreement in SAR operations between the two countries.
Minister Radebe said the signing of the agreement will boost commercial and
investment activities in maritime between the two countries. It has been long
realised that the international nature of shipping and civil aviation require
that action to improve safety in maritime and air operations would be more
effective if carried out at an international level. It was against this
background that the United Nations (UN) in 1948 and 1944 respectively adopted
conventions establishing the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). South Africa and Argentina
are both members of the IMO and the ICAO.
"South Africa is eager and committed to improving public and private
airlines to facilitate international trade and development and tourism between
the two countries," said Minister Radebe. He said this would enhance
people-to-people relations and government-to-government relations. He added
that the agreement would lead to an increased flow of air and maritime traffic
and would help to augment and collaborate trade operations.
Ambassador Sersale di Cerisano said Argentina is also looking at ways of
strengthening sporting ties ahead of the 2010 Federation Internationale de
Football Association (FIFA) World Cup to be held in South Africa. He said
today's signing came an at opportune time when South Africa and Argentina will
participate in a search and rescue Atlas South Six exercise to be held from 27
October to 7 November 2006 in the Uruguay.
At a conference in Hamburg in 1979, the IMO adopted a convention on Search
and Rescue Services. The international context of Search and Rescue strategies
in the world is framed by that convention. The convention seeks to develop an
international SAR plan, so that, no matter where an accident occurs, the rescue
of persons in distress at sea will be co-ordinated by a SAR organisation and
where necessary by co-operation between neighbouring SAR organisations.
The agreement paves the way for both countries' SAR authorities and agencies
to develop and implement common search and rescue procedures, to share
expertise through liaison visits and training facilities where feasible.
Enquiries:
Sam Monareng
Tel: (012) 309 3970
Cell: 083 326 1521
Trevor Gozhi
Tel: (012) 309 3071
Cell: 0828837011
Issued by: Ministry of Transport
8 September 2006
