Transport Minister Jeff Radebe and the Argentinean Ambassador to
South Africa Carlos Sersale di Cerisano today signed a landmark
bilateral agreement in search and rescue (SAR) operations between
the two countries, Sapa reported.
Radebe said the signing of the agreement will boost commercial and investment activities in maritime between the two countries. It has been long realised that the international nature of shipping and civil aviation require that action to improve safety in maritime and air operations would be more effective if carried out at an international level. It was against this background that the United Nations in 1948 and 1944 respectively adopted conventions establishing the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). South Africa and Argentina are both members of the IMO and the ICAO.
“South Africa is eager and committed to improving public and private airlines to facilitate international trade and development and tourism between the two countries', said Radebe. He said this would enhance people to people relations and government-to-government relations. He added that the agreement would lead to an increased flow of air and maritime traffic and would help to augment and collaborate trade operations.
Ambassador Sersale di Cerisano said Argentina is also looking at ways of strengthening sporting ties ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa. He said today's signing came an at opportune time when South Africa and Argentina will participate at a search and rescue Atlas South Six exercise to be held from 27 October to 7 November 2006 in the Uruguay.
At a conference in Hamburg in 1979, the IMO adopted a convention on Search and Rescue Services. The international context of Search and Rescue strategies in the world is framed by that Convention.
The Convention seeks to develop an international SAR plan, so that, no matter where an accident occurs, the rescue of persons in distress at sea will be coordinated by a SAR organization and where necessary by cooperation between neighbouring SAR organizations.
The agreement paves the way for both countries' SAR authorities and agencies to develop and implement common search and rescue procedures, to share expertise through liaison visits and training facilities where feasible. Sapa)
Radebe said the signing of the agreement will boost commercial and investment activities in maritime between the two countries. It has been long realised that the international nature of shipping and civil aviation require that action to improve safety in maritime and air operations would be more effective if carried out at an international level. It was against this background that the United Nations in 1948 and 1944 respectively adopted conventions establishing the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). South Africa and Argentina are both members of the IMO and the ICAO.
“South Africa is eager and committed to improving public and private airlines to facilitate international trade and development and tourism between the two countries', said Radebe. He said this would enhance people to people relations and government-to-government relations. He added that the agreement would lead to an increased flow of air and maritime traffic and would help to augment and collaborate trade operations.
Ambassador Sersale di Cerisano said Argentina is also looking at ways of strengthening sporting ties ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa. He said today's signing came an at opportune time when South Africa and Argentina will participate at a search and rescue Atlas South Six exercise to be held from 27 October to 7 November 2006 in the Uruguay.
At a conference in Hamburg in 1979, the IMO adopted a convention on Search and Rescue Services. The international context of Search and Rescue strategies in the world is framed by that Convention.
The Convention seeks to develop an international SAR plan, so that, no matter where an accident occurs, the rescue of persons in distress at sea will be coordinated by a SAR organization and where necessary by cooperation between neighbouring SAR organizations.
The agreement paves the way for both countries' SAR authorities and agencies to develop and implement common search and rescue procedures, to share expertise through liaison visits and training facilities where feasible. Sapa)
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