Today, on Friday 3 May 2013 President Zuma met with President Dennis Sassou N'Guesso, President of the Republic Congo (ROC), in Brazzaville.
The bilateral consultations took place on the margins of the meeting of the International Contact Group on the Central African Republic, convened to mobilise socio-economic assistance for CAR.
The two Presidents used the opportunity of the visit by President Zuma to discuss the relations between the two countries, which currently offer numerous promising prospects.
President Sassou-N'Guesso undertook a State visit to South Africa in April 2010. This was the first State Visit by a Congolese Head of State to South Africa since the establishment of Diplomatic Relations in 1993. A number of Agreements were signed during that visit, as well as on other occasions. These are being energetically implemented. The two Presidents reflected on the progress and took note of the encouraging increase of both the volume and the scope of bilateral relations, to the mutual benefit of the peoples of each country, and undertook to work together for the
The areas of cooperation between South Africa and Congo include aviation (SAA operates to Congo), mining, agriculture, railways, telecommunications and, arts and culture among others. The Presidents noted that there is still room for more trade/investment opportunities for South African businesses in Congo.
The two Presidents also reflected on how to advance the African Agenda and the development of Africa, and also discussed intensively the matters of peace, stability and security in the continent.
President Zuma accepted an invitation to undertake State visit to the Republic of Congo.
BACKGROUND ON THE BILATERAL RELATIONS
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched the SA/RoC Joint Trade Committee (JTC) on 16 - 17 October 2012. The inaugural meeting adopted and signed the Rules of Procedure for the Joint Trade Committee and agreed on the membership of the body. Both countries are to institute multi-faceted measures to strengthen trade and investment relations.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) visited the RoC in September 2012 to meet their counterparts and launch the Joint Management Committee (JMC) which is to implement the Agricultural Agreement. A score of South African farmers, mainly from AgriSA, have established themselves in the Congo under the umbrella of this agreement
The South African Minister of Defence and senior officials of the Department of Defence visited the RoC in December 2011 to launch the Joint Defence Committee as part of the implementation of the Defence Cooperation Agreement. Co-operation in this field is on-going.
The Department of Arts and Culture visited the RoC in April 2012 to negotiate the Programme of Cooperation (PoC) on the implementation of the Cultural Agreement. The PoC is ready to be signed during a forthcoming visit of the Congolese Minister of Arts and Culture to South Africa.
President Zuma cordially thanked his counterpart for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation and expressed his wish for the further strengthening of relations between the two countries.
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