His Excellency President Jacob Zuma has today, 30 March 2015, arrived in Algiers, in the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria for his State Visit on the invitation of His Excellency, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
The visit which is scheduled to take place from the 30th March to 1st April 2015 aims to further strengthen and consolidate the strategic and historical bilateral relations between the two countries.
The two Heads of State are anticipated to discuss important regional and global issues of mutual concern, as well as to review the status of bilateral relations.
South Africa and Algeria enjoy excellent bilateral cooperation through the framework of the South Africa-Algeria Binational Commission of Cooperation (BNC). The bilateral interaction between the two countries is centred on the following key areas: Quality of Life and Human Resources; People to People Relations; Energy and Infrastructure; Natural Resources; Defence, Safety and Security, and Trade and Investment.
Since the convening of the 5th Session of the Binational Commission the two countries have made good progress, especially in the areas of Science and Technology, Defence, Arts and Culture and Trade and Investment.
In addition to further consolidating these areas of cooperation, the 6th Session of the Binational Commission, which will be convened by Minister of International Relations and Corporation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and her counterpart Minister Ramtane Lamamra on the side-lines of the State Visit, will cement collaboration in the areas of Agriculture; Energy; Higher Education; Telecommunications and Information Technology; Labour and Social Security; Health; Tourism; Transport; Human Settlements; Local Government; and Sports and Recreation.
Algeria is South Africa's largest trading partner in the region and bilateral trade has grown progressively over the last few years, thus providing great potential to further enhance trade and investment cooperation.
President Zuma will be accompanied by the following Ministers: Ms Nkoana-Mashabane, Mr Senzeni Zokwana, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Human Settlements; Dr Siyabonga Cwele, Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services; and Mr Mzwandile Masina, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
The President will on Wednesday, 1 April 2015 proceed to Cairo, in the Arab Republic of Egypt for his Working Visit where he will hold official talks with President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.
The working visit aims to further strengthen and consolidate the strategic bilateral relations between the two countries and to reaffirm South Africa's commitment towards the strengthening of bilateral relations with Egypt through the convening of the 9th Session of the Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC).
During the visit the two Heads of State will also discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern in particular issues relating to peace and security in the African continent and in the global arena.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@icloud.com
