Issued by: SA Communication Service
JOINT COMMUNIQUE
At the invitation of H E Mr Ahmed Attaf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, H E Mr Alfred Nzo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, led a delegation on an official visit to Algeria from 2 to 5 February 1996.
During his stay in Algeria, Minister NZO was received by H E Mr Liamine Zeroual, President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, to whom he transmitted warm fraternal greetings from his brother, President Nelson Mandela, who paid tribute to the people of Algeria for their consistent and long-standing commitment and support for the liberation struggle in South Africa.
Minister Nzo warmly congratulated the Algerian people for the courageous and emphatic manner in which they participated in the Presidential election of 16 November 1995, which consolidated the democratic process in Algeria.
Minister Nzo was received by Mr Abdelkader Bensalah, Chairman of the National Transition Council, as well as Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia.
A series of meetings took place between Minister Attaf and his South African counterpart, Minister Nzo, and their respective delegations. In these meetings the bilateral relations between the two countries were reviewed and ways of further strengthening those relations in the mutual interest of the two countries were explored.
To this end, Minister Nzo was also able to further consolidate the already excellent state of relations by announcing that steps be taken to establish a South African Embassy in Algiers and appoint an Ambassador.
Furthermore, the two Ministers agreed on the establishment of a Joint Bilateral Commission to provide the basis for cooperation in the economic, commercial, scientific and technological fields.
During these meetings the two Ministers briefed one another on the internal situation in their countries, and also exchanged views on the latest developments in their respective regions. They discussed various conflict situations around the world and expressed the conviction that these could best be resolved through dialogue and negotiations. They reaffirmed their support for the Central Organ of the OAU for the Prevention, Management and Resolution of Conflict, and called for its strengthening.
The Ministers committed themselves to creating a tradition of consultation between their respective countries on questions of international importance and regional issues of mutual interest, especially before important international conferences.
Minister Nzo thanked Minister Ahmed Attaf for the warm welcome and generous hospitality shown to him and his delegation during their stay in Algeria. Furthermore, Minister Alfred Nzo invited his Algerian which he responded favourably.