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1. The fourth Session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Joint Commission for Cooperation was held in Pretoria, South Africa from 28 to 30 October 2012. The Commission was co-chaired by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Honourable Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Honourable Simbarashe S Mumbengegwi.

2. The two Ministers were supported by a number of Ministers and Senior Government Officials from their respective countries.

3. During the discussions, the two delegations expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and underscored the historical and fraternal relations that happily exist between the two countries. In this regard, the two Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the Joint Commission for Cooperation in coordinating bilateral cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

4. Both delegations noted, with appreciation, the expansive nature of the bilateral cooperation which include trade and investment, agriculture, telecommunications, mining, energy, infrastructure development, tourism, immigration, politics, defence and security, transport and environment.

5. The Ministers reiterated their commitment to improving and strengthening both the political and economic relations by intensifying cooperation between the business communities of the two countries with a view to increase trade and investment. Both delegations further agreed to encourage people-to-people contacts through cultural, sport, scientific and educational exchange programmes and tourism.

6. On regional issues, the two delegations exchanged views on the prevailing political, economic and security situation in the region. In this context, the two delegations re-affirmed their commitment to work together in pursuit of regional economic integration.

7. On continental and international issues, the two delegations expressed their commitment to African unity and integration within the framework of the Constitutive Act of the African Union. They further reiterated their common view on the need to reform the multilateral institutions including the United Nations Security Council and the Bretton Woods Institutions to better represent the interests of the developing countries.

8. The Ministers reiterated the call for the immediate and unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.

9. The Honourable Mumbengegwi, once again, congratulated South Africa on the election of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission and that Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma should count on the support of Zimbabwe in carrying out this onerous responsibility.

10. The Honourable Nkoana-Mashabane also took the opportunity to congratulate the Republic of Zimbabwe on her election to co-host, with Zambia, the next United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly in August 2013.

11. In conclusion, the Honourable Mumbengegwi on behalf of his delegation expressed his appreciation to the Government of the Republic of South Africa for the warm welcome and hospitality which was accorded to him and his delegation.

12. The next Session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation will be hosted in Zimbabwe in 2014 on a date and venue to be mutually agreed through the diplomatic channel.