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President Jacob Zuma has today concluded a successful Working Visit to the Republic of Angola at the invitation of His Excellency President Eduardo Dos Santos.

President Zuma expressed his gratitude at the invitation and once again congratulated Angola on their 40th Anniversary of Independence.

The two Presidents reaffirmed the historical and fraternal relations between the two countries that were cemented during the period of struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

They further expressed satisfaction with the growing and expanding political, economic and social cooperation between South Africa and Angola ever since the state visits of 2009 and 2010 respectively.

The Heads of State also noted the thirty three agreements and memoranda of understanding that have been signed over the years covering various fields including agriculture, health, education, trade and industry, Defence and security, transport, energy, as well as arts and culture.

President Zuma emphasized the need to implement all signed agreements and urged the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation of the two countries to move with speed.

The two leaders also took note on the progress of the Tripartite Mechanism on Dialogue and Cooperation between Angola, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In particular, they agreed on the need to ensure the success of the Mechanism through the implementation of agreed projects such as training of the DRC army, police and other identified economic projects.

"We also used this consultation to discuss issues affecting our region such as the ongoing instability in Burundi and the need for continued intervention by the AU Peace and Security Council as well as the need for the international community to support these efforts by the AU and EAC," said President Zuma.

President Zuma added that "South Africa as a former mediator in Burundi remains ready and will continue to support the Barundi to achieve peace, stability and development."

Other regional issues discussed concerned the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Presidents Zuma and Dos Santos further condemned the recent upsurge in terrorist activities in the world including countries such as Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Egypt and Paris.

"We are concerned about these terrorism developments across the globe and have expressed the need for all our countries to be vigilant as no country is immune to terrorist attacks. There is therefore a great need for global cooperation to fight terrorism," said President Zuma.

The President was accompanied by Minister of State Security, Mr David Mahlobo.

Issued by the Presidency