Germany commits nearly R1bn to SA

24th November 2014 By: Sapa

Germany commits nearly R1bn to SA

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane

Germany has committed to provide nearly R1-billion to South Africa for various joint projects, the German embassy said on Friday.

"A total of €72.5-million, nearly R1-billion, were committed by Germany to the government of South Africa for development cooperation," said embassy spokesperson Rainer Breul.

A further €38.5-million was promised for financial cooperation programmes and €34-million for technical cooperation programmes.

A bi-national commission, chaired by Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his South African counterpart Maite Nkoane-Mashabane, finished on Friday.

A number of other government officials, public sector leaders, representatives from civil society organisations and academia, and artists attended the talks.

A wide-ranging set of topics was discussed including the Ebola epidemic, the political situation in South Sudan, and "troubling developments in the Great Lakes region".

The countries confirmed their focus on co-operation on HIV/Aids prevention, governance and public administration, and energy and climate issues – in particular, South Africa's transition to a green economy.

"Further cooperation will take place... on the topic of introducing a national minimum wage, including an exchange of information and technical discussions," Breul said.