Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe today, 15 April 2010 concluded his two day working visit to the Republic of Tunisia; where he co-chaired a working session with Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi to assess progress achieved in various areas of co-operation.
The working session, which was convened at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tunisia Mohamed Ghannouchi, succeeded in reinforcing and strengthening the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
There are more than 20 bilateral agreements that exist between the two countries, focusing on various areas of cooperation. The text of the following agreements has been finalised and will soon be signed:
* Agreement of information, communications and technology
* Agreement on science and technology
* Agreement on arts and culture
* Agreement on social development.
The two countries also undertook to ensure effective implementation of all agreements entered into since 1996. The Deputy President had the opportunity to visit the Ariana Governorate where he listened to a presentation on the National Solidarity Fund which is a flagship programme on poverty alleviation. In this regard, he said there are many lessons South Africa could learn from the fund and its programmes.
He also visited El Gazala Techno Park, in line with the scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries, where he saw how Tunisians are using this field to encourage innovation and research, especially among the country’s youth.
The Deputy President expressed confidence in South Africa’s readiness to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup and welcomed the commitment showed by the Tunisian government to provide any necessary assistance in ensuring that South Africa delivers a spectacular event to the world.
Deputy President Motlanthe also paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Tunisia, His Excellency Ben Ali. The Deputy President is expected to be back in South Africa on the evening of 15 April 2010.
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Issued by: The Presidency
15 April 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/)
