President Jacob Zuma today, 25 May 2010, began a working visit to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria by holding talks with his counterpart President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. In concluding the talks President Zuma spoke of the success of the meeting with discussions raging from the unity of Africa, the strengthening of bilateral relations between South Africa and Algeria and the contribution that both countries can make in capacitating the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad).
The two Presidents also shared views on the various challenges facing the African continent such as under-development and the need to improve peacemaking and to build African unity. President Zuma later laid a wreath at the Martyr memorial site and took a guided tour of the Moudjahid Museum. The Moudjahid Museum chronicles the struggles of the people of Algeria against colonial oppression.
The opening ceremony of the Bi-national Commission (BNC) also took place today 25 May, 2010 and was co-chaired by Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Mourad Medelci and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.
President Zuma will later receive courtesy calls from the Speaker of the Council of Nation, Mr. Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister of Algeria Ahmed Ouyahia. The BNC is also complimented by the Algerian-South Africa Business Forum presided over by Minister of Industry and Promotion of Investments, Mr Hamed Temmar and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Ms Maria Ntuli.
The business forum is aimed at promoting two way investments between South African and Algerian businesses. President Zuma is accompanied by Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Defence and Military Veterans Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, Sport and Recreation Mr Makhenkesi Stofile, Energy Ms Dipuo Peters, Communications General Siphiwe Nyanda, Arts and Culture Ms Lulu Xingwana and Deputy Ministers of Science and Technology Mr Derek Hanekom and Trade and Industry Ms Maria Ntuli.
The visit is expected to be concluded by the signing of agreements in the areas of nuclear cooperation for peaceful use of nuclear energy, petroleum oil and gas and sports and recreation.
For more information:
Vincent Magwenya
Spokesperson to the President
Cell: 072 715 0024
Issued by: The Presidency
25 May 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
