Press conference remarks by President Jacob Zuma on the occasion of the State Visit of President Filipe Nyusi to South Africa Your Excellency, President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi;
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers present here;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Members of the Media;
Good afternoon,
Allow me to start by extending our warm and fraternal welcome to our esteemed guest, President Nyusi, who graciously accepted my invitation to undertake his first State Visit to South Africa.
South Africa and Mozambique share a common history, geography and culture and very strong people to people and family ties.
As President Samora Machel used to say, we are one people.
We were once brutally colonised and we had to take up arms to free ourselves from colonialism and apartheid. It was during that dark and difficult period of history that close and fraternal bonds between our peoples were forged.
It was therefore no accident that Mozambique not only hosted liberation cadres from South Africa but also played a leading role in the fight against apartheid.
For many of us, Mozambique became our home. And indeed, Mozambique is our home!
It is against this memorable and rich history that I am hosting my Dear Brother, Comrade and Friend, President Nyusi and his delegation.
We have just concluded our discussions during which we reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international matters.
Today we launched the South Africa-Mozambique Bi-National Commission chaired by the two Heads of State, a strategic mechanism through which we will structure our relations going forward.
We are building on a solid foundation.
To date we have sixty nine signed agreements and memoranda of understanding between our sister Republics, indicating the extent and depth of our cooperation.
In our discussions, we have noted with satisfaction the ever growing cooperation in many sectors including trade and investment; defence and security, cooperation in environmental matters particularly anti-poaching initiatives and strategies; transport with particular focus on cross border road and aviation transport.
We further noted the promising cooperation in the field of science and technology, agriculture and tourism. Of particular significance is our cooperation in the important field of energy.
We have directed the relevant ministers to identify and implement joint projects in the gas infrastructure and development. This will have socio-economic benefits such as employment creation.
We further noted the economic cooperation and trade relations between our two countries.
Trade and investment between our nations have grown exponentially over the past decade, showing a fifty per cent increase.
To this end, Mozambique has remained one of South Africa's top trading partners on the African continent.
In our concerted effort to increase economic cooperation, a Business Forum has been organised comprising of high level business delegations from both countries.
The message we want to communicate is simple and clear.
We urge our private sector to invest in each other's territory and help create job opportunities.
We also exchanged views on the current regional political, economic and security situation.
In this regard, we once again congratulated President Nyusi on his appointment to chair the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
We noted the current general elections that will be held this weekend on 25 October 2015, in the United Republic of Tanzania, to which SADC has deployed an Election Observation Mission under the leadership of Mozambique.
We take this opportunity to wish the people of Tanzania successful and peaceful elections.
Tanzania is a beacon of hope in the region and the continent for her exemplary record of upholding democratic and constitutional values.
With regard to continental developments, we extensively discussed issues related to peace and security in the continent.
We also discussed Africa's important infrastructure development initiatives targeted on the promotion of economic growth and trade facilitation across the continent, as well as the aspirations embedded in AU Agenda 2063 and its 10 year implementation plan.
We further noted with great concern the challenges emanating from terrorism and extremist groups that continue to affect some of our countries on the continent.
To this end, we reiterated the need for joint regional and continental efforts towards countering these negative elements.
Initiatives such the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises pending the operationalisation of the African Standby Force are worth noting.
Related to this, we noted the current military exercise Amani Africa which is taking place in South Africa. We believe that this is a good effort by the continent to develop and prepare capacity to deal with the crises.
On multilateralism, we reiterated our common position on the need to reform the multilateral institutions, including the United Nations Security Council.
We also welcomed the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the UN Agenda 2030, which are to form the framework for consolidated efforts towards the development of our respective countries.
I have gladly accepted the invitation of President Nyusi to attend the second Bi-National Commission that will be held in Mozambique in 2016.
I look forward to our deliberations and further engagements.
I thank you.
