President Jacob Zuma has today, Tuesday, 01 April 2015, concluded a successful State Visit to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
During the State Visit, President Zuma held  fruitful discussions with H.E President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on a number of continental and global developments of mutual concern.

In addition to his engagement with President Bouteflika, President Zuma also met the Prime Minister, Mr Abdelmalek Sellal, and the President of the National Council, Mr Abdelkader Bensalah. 

The President also paid homage to the heroes of the Algerian revolution through his visit to the Martyr’s Memorial.

The 6th Session of the South Africa-Algeria Bi-National Commission  was convened to review the status of bilateral engagements, and to seek ways towards further strengthening of these relations.

President Zuma stated that South Africa has long-lasting relations with Algeria and as a result, many agreements have been signed. In-depth discussions were held on strengthening implementation of existing and new agreements. A Committee would  be established to regularly review and report on the implementation of these agreements.

In this regard, a Memorandum  of Understanding on political consultations and bilateral cooperation was signed on the sidelines of the Bi-National Commission by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and her  Algerian counterpart, Minister Ramtane Lamamra.

The Ministers that accompanied President Zuma 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. 

During  consultations, additional areas for cooperation were identified. These are: 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. 

With regard to trade and investment,  President Zuma said: "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. We were  accompanied by a South African business delegation that has started engaging with their Algerian counterparts in order to take this relationship forward."

Furthermore, President Zuma announced that a South Africa-Algeria Joint Committee on Trade and Investment will be established with a view to increase economic  cooperation and create an enabling environment for South African and Algerian Business sectors to enhance trade and investment, including in the field of energy and infrastructure development.

President Zuma will depart today  for a Working Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt  where he will meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi for bilateral consultations on 02 April 2015.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION