Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
JOINT MEDIA COMMUNIQUE ON THE VISIT TO ETHIOPIA OF MR ALFRED NZO MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
At the invitation of H.E. Ato Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Mr Alfred Nzo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, paid an official visit to Ethiopia from 4-6 March, 1998.
During his stay in Ethiopia H.E. Mr Alfred Nzo was received in audience by H.E. Dr Negasso Gidada and H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi, President and Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia respectively. During these occasions H.E. Mr. Alfred Nzo transmitted messages of friendship and high consideration from H.E. Mr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, President of the Republic of South Africa.
The South African Foreign Minister was also received in audience by H.E. Auto Dawit Yohannes, Speaker of the Council of Peoples' Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
During their meeting both sides discussed areas of mutual cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries as well as the possibility of getting assistance from the government of South Africa to the efforts underway to establish the Office of Human Rights Commission and Ombudsman.
Mr Alfred Nzo also met and held a series of extensive discussions with H.E. Ato Seyoum Mesfin. Their discussions were later extended to the two delegations which also included, on the Ethiopian side, the Minister of Trade and Industry, the Vice Minister of Agriculture, the General Managers of the Ethiopian Investment Authority and the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation & Development Organization, the representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development & Cooperation and the Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission.
The Bilateral meeting between the two delegations took place in a very cordial atmosphere as stated in the provisions of the Declaration of Intent on Friendship and Cooperation signed between the two countries during the official visit of H.E. Ato Seyoum Mesfin to South Africa in May 1997.
During their meeting the two Ministers exchanged information on the political, economic and social developments in their respective countries and regions as well as on continental and international issues of common interest. They also underlined the importance of continuing close consultation at various levels in order to strengthen the already existing ties of friendship and cooperation between both countries.
On bilateral matters, while expressing their satisfaction on the positive achievements so far made, both sides agreed to intensify with vigour and renewed commitment the cooperation existing between the two countries in order to accelerate the contact between the economic operators as well as the peoples of the two countries.
The two ministers signed a Declaration of Intent with regards to Co-operation in Wildlife Management.
Furthermore, the two Ministers requested the respective relevant departments of both countries to finalize the Draft Agreement on Cooperation in the Economic, Scientific, Technical & Cultural fields and the Draft Trade Cooperation Agreement.
The two ministers also held a fruitful exchange of views on the latest developments accomplished in their respective regions and on the rest of the continent. In this connection, both sides expressed their appreciation for the efforts undertaken thus far on the convergence of the position of the two governments on most of the regional and intenational issues of common interest and agreed to coordinate their efforts in order to contribute to the preservation of peace, security, and stability of the continent.
With regards to the situation in Somalia, the two Ministers underlined the necessity for the Somali people to engage in a direct and peaceful political dialogue in order to bring about a just and lasting peace in Somalia. In this respect, they called upon the International Community at large to render the required political, financial and moral support as well as to closely coordinate their efforts with the IGAD and the countries of the region in order to bring to an end the suffering of the people of Somalia.
During his stay in Ethiopia, H.E. Mr Alfred Nzo also visited the rock hewn churches of Lalibela and Zeghie peninsula at Lake Tana in the Amhara regional state where he was accorded a fraternal welcome by the officials of the regional administration.
On the conclusion of his visit, H.E Mr Alfred Nzo expressed his gratitude to H.E. Ato Seyoum Mesfin for the warm welcome and brotherly hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during their stay in Ethiopia.
H.E. Ato Seyoum Mesfin H.E. Mr Alfred B Nzo Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister of Foreign Affairs For the Government of the For the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic Republic of South Africa Of Ethiopia
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON BEHALF OF THE MISSION IN ADDIS ABABA PRETORIA 6 MARCH 1998