Remarks by the Minister of Defence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota on the signing of the Agreement for Joint Commission on Defence and Security between the governments of the Republic of South Africa and of the Republic of Mozambique

Honourable Minister Tobias Dai, it is always a great pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to South Africa.

The association between our countries was forged during the liberation struggle when our respective movements, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) co-operated.

Your visit today is even more important as we are about to sign a significant agreement between our two countries which is yet another milestone in our longstanding relationship.

Minister, your country Mozambique played a critical role in ensuring that South Africa attains its freedom and democracy. Having freed our people from the clutches of apartheid and colonialism, it is now expected of us to free them from amongst others, the clutches of poverty, disease and crime.

In 1994 the South Africa/Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission for Co-operation (JPCC) was signed, which established the legal framework for South Africa's bilateral relations with Mozambique.

The JPCC has been an enabler and catalyst mechanism for the current existence of more than 20 agreements covering various spheres of co-operation, such as fisheries; the Maputo Harbour; agricultural development; natural gas trade; mining; the Maputo Development Corridor; a Joint Water Commission; promotion and reciprocal protection of investments and customs, etc.

The agreement on Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security (JPCDS) we are signing today will see our two countries in amongst others; promote co-operation in the fields of:

* defence and security

* exchange information on the activities and movement of elements involved in crime such as drug smuggling and human trafficking.

In the course of the implementation of the provision of the JPCDS, we will establish effective channels of communication between the defence and security forces of our two countries, especially along the common border to effectively deal with matters relating to cross-border crimes and illegal migration.

Co-operation between South Africa and Mozambique and all our Southern African Development Community (SADC) neighbours on these issues are critical if South Africa is to host a successful and a secure 2010 Federation of International Football Association (Fifa) World Cup tournament in two years' time.

We further need to affirm our co-operation on the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia one-stop border post project, which will include separate facilities for processing passenger and cargo traffic ahead of the world cup. The one-stop-facility will handle a considerable increase numbers of tourists in the region before, during and after the event.

In conclusion, I wish to state that the challenge we now face is to come up with a concrete action plan which will ensure that our objectives are met.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Defence
20 November 2007