Your Excellency Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor Dr Westerwelle;
Distinguished guests; and
Ladies and gentlemen:
This sixth Session of the South Africa-Germany BNC has been a further important milestone in the development of our bilateral relations.
I wish to thank the various committees for the valuable feedback given to us in the course of this plenary session.
We are grateful to all participants for the dedication they have shown in their hard work and to ensure the success of this meeting.
Your Excellency,
Allow me to thank you for the admirable manner in which you have led your delegation and for the wonderful atmosphere in which our various discussions have taken place.
As South Africa, we wish to thank Germany for its ongoing support on key issues that South Africa holds dear, particularly those that relate to the African Agenda and development.
Your tangible support for reconstruction and development projects in Africa �" including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan �" deserve special mention.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Germany and South Africa hold common views on a broad range of international issues, including the central role of the United Nations in international affairs and the importance of reforming the UN.
We respect international law and promote the resolution of conflict through diplomacy and negotiation.
Both our nations make an important contribution to peacekeeping as well as post-conflict reconstruction and development.
We share the view that development �" especially in Africa �" needs to remain at the top of the international agenda. We welcome the fact that these issues will continue to feature prominently in the work of the BNC in the next years.
Distinguished guests,
As we conclude this meeting, we do so with a strong sense of optimism. As our relations continue to grow in every area, the role of the BNC in providing strategic direction is likely to become more and more important.
I am confident that all of you will live up to this challenge and renew your efforts �" in the various committees �" in support of this process.
Science, technology and innovation are vital to the development of South Africa as well as the whole African continent. Bridging the digital divide is essential for the success of the African Agenda and in this regard, Germany’s support is pivotal.
Allow me a final word of thanks to Your Excellency Dr Westerwelle and your delegation for your contribution to the success of this BNC.
We wish you and your delegation a safe return to Germany, and every success in your future endeavours.
Dr Westerwelle, allow me to express our gratitude for Germany’s support in assisting South Africa in its preparation for 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is all systems go. It is my wish that Bafana meets Germany in the finals. Miracles never cease to exist!
We look forward to welcoming President Horst Kohler, the German national team and their fans in June, and hope that they will have an unforgettable African experience in South Africa!
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
9 April 2010
