Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE FIRST MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION AND SIGNING OF A CHARTER, 6 - 7 MARCH 1997 IN MAURITIUS.
Mr Alfred Nzo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be attending the First Ministerial Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation, on 6 and 7 March 1997 in Mauritius. The meeting of the 14 countries participating in the initiative to establish a regional framework for closer trade, economic and other cooperation to the benefit of all countries reliant on the Indian Ocean, will see the signing of a Charter that has been negotiated since the concept was launched two years ago.
The founder countries are Australia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Yemen. A number of other countries have shown an interest to join.
A unique feature of the Association is its tripartite nature, involving Government, Business and the Academia in various projects identified and to be identified of interest to the region. South Africa is thus coordinating a project on the "Upgrading of Ports, Transport and Telecommunications infrastructure".
At least in the initial stages, this informal grouping will thus be project-driven, allowing for a phased approach that will identify new areas of a political and non-security cooperation, as the Association evolves itself.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 3 MARCH 1997