In order to strengthen the existing relations of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, His Excellency Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, accompanied by a delegation, and upon invitation from His Excellency Mr Carlos Gomes Junior, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, paid an official visit to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau from 30 to 31 August 2011.
The delegation of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau was led by His Excellency Mr Carlos Gomes Junior, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
During the visit, His Excellency Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, visited Amura Fortress, where he participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Mausoleum of the founder of the Guinean nation, Amilcar Cabral, paying tribute to the National Heroes of the Liberation Struggle. The two delegations also travelled to the city of Bafata, visiting the house where the illustrious leader Amilcar Cabral was born.
His Excellency Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr Malam Bacai Sanhá, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, during which he conveyed a message of friendship and solidarity from His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa.
The two delegations expressed their satisfaction with the positive progress made thus far in strengthening bilateral cooperation, and highlighted the need to intensify contacts, on all levels, in order to strengthen and diversify cooperation in all areas of common interest.
In this regard, the two delegations recommended launching the Joint Bilateral Cooperation Commission between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau as soon as possible.
His Excellency Mr Carlos Gomes Junior, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, made a presentation on recent political events in Guinea-Bissau.
His Excellency Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, in turn, informed His Excellency Mr Carlos Gomes Junior, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, on recent developments in South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Republic of South Africa committed itself to continued support for the Government's efforts to strengthen stability, consolidation of democracy, and sustainable development in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
With regard to African issues, the two delegations reaffirmed their commitment to the objectives and principles of the Charters of the African Union and United Nations Organisation, especially the peaceful resolution of disputes, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and the strengthening of cooperation and understanding between peoples.
The delegations reiterated their commitment to multilateralism, the strengthening of the United Nations System and Reform of the Organisation, particularly the Security Council. The delegations underscored the need to increase the number of permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by increasing the presence of African countries in the Security Council.
The two delegations restated their concern regarding the politico-military crisis in Libya, and urged the parties involved in the conflict to engage in the dialogue recommended in the Roadmap of the African Contact Group.
The delegations also strongly condemned all forms of terrorism which pose a threat to peace as well as regional and international security Joint strategies to combat organised crime, especially drug trafficking, were also discussed.
The two delegations discussed issues concerning support for the Security and Defence Sector Reform process in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, as well as the related Economic and Commercial Cooperation Programme. The delegations expressed their intention to strengthen bilateral trade relations, and committed to the speedy conclusion of the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment Agreement, as well as other related agreements.
The two delegations agreed that their respective Ministry's of Finance, Central Banks and Treasuries, should examine the possibility of extending a credit-line to assist business people engaging in bilateral trade and investment.
The delegation of the Republic of South Africa undertook to assess the request for electoral assistance made by the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
In the presence of His Excellency Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, and His Excellency Mr Carlos Gomes Junior, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Health was signed by the respective Ministers.
The two delegations expressed their desire to establish Trilateral Cooperation Projects, involving South Africa, Guinea-Bissau and Cuba, in the health sector, specifically for:
a) The community-based project to combat malaria by means of biological control and combating physical vectors of disease transmission in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau
b) The Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro, Amilcar Cabral Trilateral Cooperation Project for health sector capacity building and training at the Raul Diaz Arguelles Faculty of Medicine in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
His Excellency Mr Carlos Gomes Junior, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, conveyed his gratitude to His Excellency Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, for the increasing level of investments from South African State Owned Enterprises and private sector companies.
The delegations of the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau reiterated their satisfaction with the progress of the India Brazil South Africa (IBSA) project on agricultural processing, low-land rehabilitation, animal husbandry and rural electrification through solar panels in Guinea-Bissau.
The two delegations expressed their satisfaction to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the efficient implementation of the projects in coordination with the government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. They also expressed the desire to transfer ownership of these programmes to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau in order to strengthen their sustainability.
The two delegations expressed their satisfaction with the intention of Guinea-Bissau to establish a Diplomatic Mission in the Republic of South Africa in order to expand and strengthen the historic relations of cooperation between the two countries.
The two delegations expressed their satisfaction at the success of the visit, and His Excellency Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, made use of the opportunity to emphasise his appreciation for the warm and fraternal welcome afforded to him and his delegation, and extended an invitation to His Excellency Mr Carlos Gomes Junior, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, to visit the Republic of South Africa on a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.
