President Jacob Zuma has arrived back in Pretoria, South Africa following a State Visit to the Republic of Senegal, the first for a South African head of state.
The two Presidents agreed to deepen cooperation at social, economic and political levels.
On economic cooperation, President Zuma and President Sall agreed to strengthen cooperation in a number of areas including air transportation, water, energy, defence, agriculture, higher education and tourism.
"We look forward to expanding economic ties. We are happy that South African companies have found so many opportunities in Senegal'' said President Zuma.
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) will assist Senegal in the building of the Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diass, Senegal. In addition, the IDC, Transnet, Lonrho and TMMF Holdings will form a consortium and participate in the building of the Dakar-AIBD-Thies Railway Project.
With regards to air transport, Senegal and South Africa agreed to make Dakar a hub to serve the entire West African region. They will pursue the establishment a well-developed aviation maintenance service, capable of meeting the demands of this sector.
In the promotion of cultural tourism and heritage the two Presidents agreed to the twinning of Goree Island which was at the centre of the slave trade, and Robben Island. Goree Island also has an important history for South Africa as that is where the then exiled ANC met with Afrikaner intellectuals in 1987.
"That historic meeting was very important as it served to demystify the ANC and make white South Africans in particular to understand it better. This island therefore has a special place in South African transitional history,'' said President Zuma who visited the island yesterday, 2 October. He also visited Goree Institute where the ANC-Afrikaner intelligentsia meeting took place.
The two leaders also discussed cooperation on matters relating to strengthening the African Union, promoting peace and security and promoting a just and equitable world order.
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