of the Zimbabwe South Africa Joint Commission
16 March 2009
1. The third session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Joint Commission was held
in Victoria Falls from 14 to 16 March, 2009.
2. The meeting was attended by Ministers and Senior Officials from the two
countries. The Zimbabwe delegation was headed by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Honourable Simbarashe S Mumbengegwi while the Minister of Foreign
Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma headed the South African delegation.
3. Discussions were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere characteristic
of the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.
4. The two sides exchanged views on measures to strengthen economic
co-operation between the two countries. In this regard the two sides discussed
measures to support the recovery of Zimbabwe's productive sectors including
opening of lines of credit, export credit insurance, spatial development
initiatives and trade facilitation measures.
5. The two sides agreed to finalise negotiations on the Bilateral
Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, the Memorandum on Economic
Co-operation and the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement.
6. In the area of energy, the two sides agreed to enhance co-operation in
the generation and distribution of power. To this end, a Joint Working
Committee will be established to discuss the technical details in this
sector.
7. The two sides agreed to cooperate in enhancing production in the mining
sector, beneficiation of minerals, finger printing precious metals and
harmonisation of mining policies to attract investment.
8. The two sides agreed to finalise negotiations on a draft Protocol on
Tourism and to establish a Bilateral Tourism Technical Committee in view of the
Tourism growth prospects coming from the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the
Transfrontier Conservation Parks. In the area of the environment, the two sides
exchanged views on the CITES processes and agreed to co-operate in training and
harmonisation of legislation.
9. Noting the importance of ensuring food security and agricultural
production, Zimbabwe expressed appreciation to the Government of the Republic
of South Africa for the provision of agricultural inputs under the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) initiative.
10. In the social sectors, the two sides exchanged views on collaboration in
combating infectious diseases and other health management issues, labour
migration, human settlement development and housing, public service
administration, arts and culture, youth, gender and community development. The
two sides negotiated draft agreements and memorandum of understanding (MoUs)
which will be signed once the two parties have fulfilled the legal requirements
in their respective countries.
11. The two sides advanced discussions on longstanding immigration matters
between the two countries.
12. In the legal sector, the two sides agreed to expedite ratification of
the SADC Protocol on Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance and cooperation on
matters concerning community service and pre-trial diversion for children and
young persons in conflict with the law.
13. The two sides exchanged views on political developments in their
respective countries. They agreed to work together in Zimbabwe's re-engagement
with the international community and in the lobbying for the lifting of
economic sanctions in keeping with the 2009 Addis Ababa AU Summit Resolution
and the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement.
14. The South African delegation thanked the Zimbabwean delegation for the
hospitality and excellent facilities extended to them during the session.
15. The next session will be held in South Africa on dates to be mutually
agreed between the two parties.
Enquiries:
Thapelo Moeng
Department of Foreign Affairs
Tel: 012 351 1163
Fax: 012 342 2098
Cell: 082 449 7527
E-mail: moengf@foreign.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
16 March 2009
Source: SAPA
