Luanda: President and Mrs Sizakele Zuma have today, 21 August 2009, concluded the first state visit by President Zuma to Angola. The two day State visit was at the invitation of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos scheduled from 19 to 21 August 2009. Accompanied by eleven Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials as well as the largest business delegation to support a head of state since 1994, the visit cemented the ties of friendship between Angola and South Africa.
This was President Jacob Zuma's first state visit to a foreign country since his inauguration as the President of the Republic of South Africa. The choice of Angola as the first destination for a state visit signalled the importance South Africa attaches to her bilateral relations with Angola.
On the first day of the state visit, President Zuma paid tribute to the sacrifices waged by the Angolan people by laying wreaths at the Monument of Former President Agostinho Neto, former President of the Republic of Angola as well as at the Monument of Unknown Soldier.
As part of the importance South Africa attaches to Angola, President Zuma addressed the Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly and used the occasion to "reflect on the bonds of solidarity between the two countries and saw his visit as an emotional homecoming and a second home for South Africa."
During the visit, the two Heads of State discussed issues related to the development of bilateral relations and the most important topics on the Regional and International Political Agenda.
The two Heads of State expressed their unshakeable desire to strengthen the ties of political, economic, technical-scientific, and cultural co-operation, so as to elevate them to a level that corresponds to the primary interests of the Angolan and South African governments. The two Heads of State also emphasised the role of the private sector in this process.
During President Jacob Zuma's visit to the Republic of Angola, various cooperation agreements were signed, namely in the fields of Regular Political Consultations, infrastructure, industry, trade, sport and recreation, air services and human settlements. Speaking about the agreements, President Zuma indicated that the agreements "are instruments that will make sure that we indeed improve Southern Africa. President further added that the enthusiasm shown by the Joint Angola-South Africa Business Forum should be used to integrate business operations between the two countries."
As such, the two Heads of State agreed to maintain a permanent and regular dialogue in an effort to harmonise their position on issues of bilateral and sub-regional interest in the field of energy, taking into account the interests of the Republic of Angola and the Republic of South Africa, as producer and consumer countries respectively.
President Zuma viewed this visit as significant between the two countries and "emphasised that the Diplomatic engagement with the government are paramount to ensure the socio -economic development of the two countries."
Political stability between the two countries featured prominently between the two as such stability would lead to the strengthening of the political integration of the region. The benefits that would accrue from this stability would be the Consolidation of the African Agenda as well as adherence to the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU).
On this occasion, the two Heads of State expressed their concern with persistent conflicts and with the emergence of new sources of conflict and the consequences of these on the development and well-being of peoples. As both countries emerge from conflict situations, the enthusiasm shown by the business communities of both countries should be used to further strengthen the economies of both countries.
Similarly, the two Heads of State also highlighted the need to strengthen co-operation between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU), primarily in the domain of peacekeeping and security. With respect to the International Political Agenda, the two Heads of State share the same opinion regarding the inter-connection between development, peace and security, human rights and the prevalence of the rule of law in International Relations as well as the creation of conditions that are conducive to the attainment of sustainable development on the African continent.
In this regard, the two Heads of State stressed the importance of the role of the United Nations, emphasising the urgent need to reform the UN, particularly its Security Council, transforming it into a more representative, equitable and democratic instrument consistent with the principles and objectives as set out in the UN Charter. The two Heads of State reiterated their commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and those of self-determination and independence of the peoples.
In concluding his visit, President Zuma made an emotional pilgrimage to Pango Camp in Bengo province, a former Umkhonto WeSizwe military base, where he paid homage to the heroes and heroines who laid down their lives in pursuit of freedom. Speaking about the experience at Pango, President Zuma said that ªthis was to remind us of where we come from and encouraged us to work harder for the goals for which many lost their lives.
President Zuma expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to the people and Government of Angola for the friendly and fraternal reception accorded to him and to his delegation during his stay in the Republic of Angola. In turn, President Zuma reciprocated by inviting President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, to undertake an official visit to the Republic of South Africa to be determined at a later stage, through the diplomatic channels.
President Jacob Zuma arrived today, 21 August in South Africa.
For enquiries contact:
Vincent Magwenya
President's spokesperson
Cell: 072 715 0024
Issued by: The Presidency
21 August 2009
