12 December 2006
Bamako- South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, today,
Tuesday, 12 December 2006 concluded her tri-nation programme which saw her
visiting Tokyo, Washington DC and Bamako in Mali.
The second session of the Joint Commission for Co-operation (JCC) in Mali
which was the last leg of the visit took place within the context of South
Africa's priority to strengthen bilateral, political, economic and trade
relations with Mali and subsequently the Consolidation of the African
agenda.
Whilst in Mali, Minister Dlamini Zuma co-chaired with her Malian
counterpart, Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane, the Second Session of South Africa
- Mali Joint Commission for Co-operation (SA-Mali JCC). Both Ministers signed
the Agreed Minutes as a testimony to progress made in the co-operation.
Issues on the agenda for discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma and Ouane
focused amongst others on a review of progress in the various areas of
co-operation such as Agriculture, Arts and Culture, Defence, Education, Health,
Minerals and Energy, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry and
Transport.
The JCC emphasised the need to strengthen the existing co-operation but also
looked into the possibilities of pioneering co-operation in the fields of
Gender co-operation as well as the environment.
In the area of multilateral co-operation, South Africa thanked Mali for
supporting its accession to the non-permanent seat of the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC). Mali previously served in the non-permanent seat of
the UNSC and underpinned its commitment in sharing its experiences with South
Africa.
Minister Dlamini Zuma concluded her visit by paying a courtesy call on
Malian President, General Amadou Toumani Toure and reiterated its commitment to
ensuring the further strengthening of the already strong relations between the
two countries.
Minister Dlamini Zuma returns to South Africa on Wednesday, 13 December
2006.
Issued by:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
12 December 2006
Source: SAPA
