Rwanda
25 March 2009
* At the invitation of Her Excellency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Co-operation of the Republic of Rwanda paid an official visit to
South Africa. Minister Museminali's visit took place within the framework of
the General Co-operation Agreement between South Africa and Rwanda.
* Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Museminali co-chaired the fifth session of the
South Africa-Rwanda Joint Commission of Co-operation (JCC) which was preceded
by a meeting of senior officials that reviewed the status of work done within
the framework of the General Co-operation Agreement. The ministers expressed
their determination to expand and consolidate relations between the two
countries, particularly in the political, economic, cultural, scientific and
technical fields.
* Minister Museminali was received in audience by His Excellency President
Kgalema Motlanthe during which she conveyed fraternal greetings of His
Excellency President Paul Kagame.
* The highlight of the JCC was the signing of agreements on co-operation in
the fields of arts and culture, on scientific and technological co-operation
and on joint co-operation on capacity building and training in the forestry,
water and sanitation sector.
* The implementation of the existing agreements on reciprocal promotion and
protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation and agriculture were
discussed, and action plans were recorded in the report. Future co-operation in
the fields of education, and public service and administration were
discussed.
* Dr Dlamini Zuma and Minister Museminali reflected on the political
situation in the continent with specific focus on the Great Lakes region, as
well as other African regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Minister Dlamini Zuma on behalf of the Government of South Africa welcomed the
co-operation between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which
will act as a catalyst in normalising relations between these two sister
countries and also could bring about stability in the Great Lakes region. As a
demonstration of their commitment to south-south co-operation the ministers
agreed to renew the Cuban Medical Brigade program, which will ensure that
health services will continue to be rendered to the people of Rwanda.
* Her Excellency Minister Dlamini Zuma briefed Honourable Minister
Museminali on the progress made in the Burundi peace process and the situation
in Darfur. The ministers expressed their concern about the grave situation in
Madagascar, and reaffirmed the position of the African Union (AU).
* In her closing remarks Dr Dlamini Zuma expressed satisfaction with the
progress made so far and urged both delegations to implement all outstanding
decisions flowing from the fifth Session of the JCC. She thanked both
delegations for the cordial and candid manner in which they conducted their
deliberations, which exemplify the value that they both attach to this
relationship as a strategic partnership for co-operation and development.
* In response Honourable Rosemary Museminali expressed her gratitude for the
warm hospitality accorded to her and her delegation since their arrival in
South Africa. She reiterated the need to maintain momentum and carry out the
decisions of the JCC within the spirit of the General Co-operation Agreement
between South Africa and Rwanda. Minister Museminali congratulated South Africa
on its peaceful campaign ahead of its fourth democratic elections and wished
the country well.
* In accordance with the General Co-operation Agreement, the ministers
agreed that the sixth session of the South Africa-Rwanda JCC will convene in
Kigali, Rwanda, in 2011 at a date to be agreed upon through diplomatic
channels.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
25 March 2009
