Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, will tomorrow, 29 August 2018 receive her counterpart, Mr Abdelkader Messahel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on a working visit to South Africa.
South Africa and Algeria enjoy good political relations dating back when Algeria hosted South African liberation movements and provided active support to freedom fighters, including the founding father of a democratic South Africa, former President Nelson Mandela. This resulted in the creation of a structured framework of co-operation in the form of a Ministerial Joint Bi-National Commission of Co-operation (JBC) in 1998. The latter was later upgraded to a Bi-National Commission at Presidential level in 2000, signifying the strategic quality of the bilateral relations that exist between the two countries.
Over the years, there have been high level visits and engagements between South Africa and Algeria and constant consultations on issues of mutual interests, particularly on the Continental integration.
The depth and extent of strong cooperation between the two countries is evidenced by the existence of thirty-three (33) agreements and memoranda of understanding covering a wide range of sectors.
It is expected that the two ministers will review bilateral cooperation between the two countries and exchange views on issues of common interest. The ministers will also reflect on the role the two countries continue to play within the African Union and its structures.
The meeting will take place as follows:
Activity one: Photo opportunity
Date: Tomorrow, 29 August 2018
Time: 10h00 (Media to arrive by 09h30)
Venue: 17th floor, Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, 120 Plein Street, Parliament, Cape Town
NOTE: Media to assembly at Imbizo Media Centre
Activity two: Media briefing and signing of the MOU
Date: 29 August 2018
Time: 12:30
Venue: Imbizo Media Centre, 120 Plein Street, Parliament, Cape Town
RSVP: Rapakuanak@dirco.gov.za
Enquiries:
Mr Ndivhuwo Mabaya
Cell: 083 645 7838 or
Email: Mabayan@dirco.gov.za
