N Dlamini Zuma and M Conde: Briefing on SA-Guinea Conakry Joint
Commission of Co-operation

24 November 2006

Comments by Minister Mamady Conde

* We have reached the end of this first session of the South Africa – Guinea
Conakry Joint Commission of Co-operation.

* We have signed a series of agreements aimed at strengthening co-operation
between both countries.

* It is necessary to respond to the challenges experienced by both countries
by strengthening co-operation between both countries.

Comments by Minister Dlamini Zuma

* Indeed, it is with satisfaction that I am closing this inaugural session
of the Joint Commission on Co-operation.

* I would like to thank my Ministerial colleagues for giving of their time
and guidance to the discussions and the delegations of both countries for their
hard work in order to produce the results of this joint commission.

* The officials have also finalised a programme of action that will guide
our activities in the next 6-12 months – officials have also set very tight
timeless which is very encouraging since it indicates a willingness to achieve
results. I am very happy with those tight timelines – I hope you will be able
to keep to these timelines.

* I urge you to, even before the mid-term review next year to consult with
us should you encounter obstacles since this is the only way in which we will
move forward and achieve progress.

* We must also be guided by the comments of President Mbeki and President
Lasana Conte – when I met President Lasana in Guinea Conakry when I first
arrived, I was told to treat Guinea as though we share a border. President
Mbeki when he visited Guinea said there should be no passports between both
countries – he took it a step further – if you have a common border you are
neighbours, if you do not have a passport, you are one people.

In our work we must be guided by these two sentences that both our
Presidents uttered at different times since it will inform us not just of the
urgency of the work to be completed but that we should remember we are working
with brothers and sisters. The reports received indicated that you are
approaching the work with this sense.

* I am happy that we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on
language training. Communication can be made much easier.

* I hear from the telecommunications report that we will be able to roam
when we are next in Guinea – I’m sure both sides will really appreciate
this.

* I declare this first session of our joint commission closed.

Questions and answers

Question: Minister Conde, did you meet with South African business people
while you were here in SA, are you looking at certain sectors investing in
Guinea Conakry?

Answer: I did not have an opportunity to meet with representatives of South
African business. We will take stock of the opportunities presented to us in
trade between both countries. This will be very important in consolidating
relations between both countries – the consolidation of transport links will
also assist in this way. It was the plan that business people from Guinea
accompany me on this trip but we later realised it would be better to sign the
agreements first.

Question: Minister Dlamini Zuma, can you give us more details about the
transport agreement that has been signed and the upgrading of the railway
infrastructure?

Answer: The Minister has touched on the agreements but I will say something
very brief. Basically the transport agreement does cover areas of both public
transport and the renewal of the rail infrastructure. Besides the letters of
intent, there have been discussions on air transport, merchant shipping, public
transport and the renewal of rail infrastructure. In this regard, the matter
will deal more with freight both within Guinea and possibly to eventually link
up with Mali.

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
24 November 2006