Kinshasa: President Zuma has today, 8 September concluded his two day working visit in Kinshasa where he attended the 29th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government.
President Zuma on his arrival attended a consultation meeting with President Joseph Kabila as South Africa prepared to hand over the SADC chairpersonship. On Monday, 7 September 2009 HE President Zuma delivered his handover statement to the Summit, which highlighted the challenges met and gains made during South Africa’s chairpersonship.
Amongst other matters, President Zuma highlighted progress made relating to economic development and integration following the launch of the SADC Free Trade Area (SADC FTA) in South Africa last year. President Zuma reiterated the need to ensure that the SADC FTA is fully consolidated. Particular to this President Zuma highlighted the need to for a more concerted focus on strengthening the productive capacity within SADC.
President Zuma also noted the gains made through the Organ on Defence, Peace and Security Cooperation in negotiating and securing peace in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also highlighted in his address was the milestone signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in Zimbabwe.
"These achievements signalled to the people of Zimbabwe, the region and the world that the Zimbabwean political leadership is committed to collectively tackle the political and socio-economic challenges facing the country," President Zuma said.
President Zuma also formally presented his personal impression on Zimbabwe to the Summit following his recent visit to Zimbabwe. He stressed the need to continue with the support through SADC for the economic reconstruction of Zimbabwe and also the lifting of sanctions. Important to note are also the efforts on resolving the Madagascar political situation, these efforts saw the appointment of former Mozambique President, Mr Joaquim Chissano to facilitate the dialogue amongst the Malagasy people in co-ordination with other international organisations.
President Zuma was accompanied by International Relations and Co-operation's Minister Maite Nkoane Mashabane, Minister of Agriculture, Ms Tina Joemat-Petterson and Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Ms B Ntuli. Summit resolutions will be reflected in the official Summit Communiqué which will be issued out to media and posted on the Department of International Relations and Co-operation's website and the Presidency website.
President Zuma arrives back in South Africa today, ahead of Cabinet meeting tomorrow and the official welcoming ceremony on Thursday of the Swedish Prime Minister, Mr Frederick Reinfeldt who will be on an official visit to South Africa and chair of the SA-EU Summit to be held in Kleimond, Cape Town on Friday.
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Issued by: The Presidency
8 September 2009
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
