Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo have begun wide-ranging talks about the prospects of economic and political co-operation between their respective countries.

President Mbeki, who is being accompanied by seven ministers as well as a delegation representing South Africa's private sector, is meeting Kabila at Kinshasa, the DRC capital.

The talks are part of President Mbeki's first ever state visit to the mineral-rich African country following the installation of an all inclusive government in that Great Lake state. President Mbeki arrived in the French speaking country this morning to meet his counterpart to chart the way forward on political and economic co-operation.

Issues set to form the basis of the discussions include the exchange of relevant advisors, experts and professionals as well as the development of transportation and communications, inside and outside the borders of the two countries.

Security, defence and financial issues will also be thrashed out by the two delegations, which will be sealed with the signing of a Co-operation Agreement by the two Presidents.

The agreement, said the South African foreign affairs department, would lay a "legal foundation" for the establishment of the Joint Bilateral Commission between the two countries aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. Relations between Pretoria and Kinshasa have progressively improved following the installation of Joseph Kabila, as DRC President.

There are sound trade relations between South Africa and the DRC valued at millions of rands.

The mineral-rich central African state, which has already seen a significant investment presence of South African companies, offers massive economic potential for local corporations, especially in the mining sector.

"The state visit will thus help create a political climate conducive for both the South African and DRC private sectors to interact in a mutually beneficial manner," said the department of foreign affairs. On a political front, Pretoria played a decisive role in helping break the ice during the Inter Congolese Dialogue, hosted in South Africa, resulting in the creation of an all-inclusive government. – BuaNews.