Ministers,

Members of the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am indeed very glad to once again be able to visit our beloved Algeria.

South Africa and Algeria share a very strong historical bond of friendship that stretches over many decades, rooted in the struggle of our peoples against colonialism and apartheid.

South Africa and Algeria are committed to safeguard and deepen these bonds through our shared vision for a united, prosperous and peaceful continent and a more just and equitable global order.

I have just concluded very fruitful discussions with President Bouteflika on a number of continental and global developments of mutual concern.

In addition to my engagement with President Bouteflika I have also been graciously received by the Prime Minister, Mr Abdelmalek Sellal and the President of the National Council, Mr Abdelkader Bensalah. 

I have had the honour today to also pay homage to the heroes of the Algerian revolution through my visit to the Martyr’s Memorial.

This morning the Ministers that are accompanying me on this visit, namely the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Minister of Human Settlements;  the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services and the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, had engagements with their Algerian counterparts. 

We have also concluded today the 6th Session of the Binational Commission, which was aimed at reviewing the status of our bilateral engagements and to seek ways towards further strengthening of these relations.

It was agreed that there needs to be more frequent discussions on issues of mutual concern.

It was further agreed during the Binational Commission that we have developed excellent programmes of collaboration in a number of areas such as Science and Technology, Arts and Culture and Defence and Security, to name a few. 

The consultations of the six working groups, which had met in Pretoria from 16 to 18 March, had also identified further areas for cooperation.

These are in the areas of Higher Education and Training, Public Works and Housing, Space Science and Technologies, Energy, Mineral Resources, Communication and Information Technology,  Transport, Local government, Labour, Employment and Social Security, Health and Tourism. 

South Africa considers Algeria to be a strategic partner in North Africa.

In this regard, President Bouteflika and I have agreed on the need to ensure that our strong bilateral political relationship is translated into increased economic and trade relations. 

There are tremendous opportunities for enhanced trade and investment relations.

In this regard, we are  accompanied by a South African business delegation that has started engaging with their Algerian counterparts in order to take this relationship forward.

The President and I have also discussed various matters relating to issues in the continent and internationally.

We have welcomed the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council on the situation in Western Sahara, which was adopted on 27 March 2015. 

We have discussed developments in Mali and Libya and I have commended the initiatives taken by Algeria to promote peace and security in the region and their engagements in mediating in these conflicts.

We further affirmed our condemnation of all forms of terrorism and we underscored the need for our continued collaboration in fighting this transnational scourge.

We have also discussed the situation in South Sudan, recent developments in Lesotho as well as the situation in the Middle East.

We have highlighted the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations and have exchanged views on the UN reform process. 

We have agreed to continue to consult and cooperate in the United Nations and the African Union in order to ensure that we continue to work towards a more democratic and equitable global governance system.

The visit has been very successful and we are committed to ensure the implementation of our agreements and the further deepening and expansion of our bilateral relationship.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure that we carry our partnership forward. We have urged our Ministers to drive the process in taking our relationship to the next level.

I wish again, on behalf of the South African delegation, to express our sincerest appreciation to President Bouteflika, the government and people of Algeria for the very warm reception afforded to me and the South African delegation. 

I thank you.

Issued by The Presidency