Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
In his capacity as Chairman of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZPCSA) Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo will lead the South African delegation to the Fifth Ministerial Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 21-22 October 1998.
The ZPCSA draws together 24 countries with coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean, of which 21 are African. Established in 1986 this organisation holds Ministerial meetings every two years. The Third Meeting was held in Brasilia in 1994, when South Africa joined the organisation and thereafter hosted the Fourth Meeting in Somerset West, Cape Province in April 1996. South Africa will hand over the two year rotating Chairmanship of the Zone to Argentina, during the Ministerial Meeting in Buenos Aires.
Minister Nzo, who is on the third leg of his South American tour, emphasised that "the South Atlantic is the strongest and most physical common denominator amongst member countries of the ZPCSA. It is a medium of transport, a source of food and a common boundary for its ZPCSA members. It is imperative therefore, that we protect this fragile environment."
During its Chairmanship of the ZPCSA, South Africa focussed on the problem of drugs and introduced a resolution at the 40th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (the main policy making body of the UN on drugs), through which it requested the United Nations Drug Control Programme (the executing arm of the Commission) to examine forms of assistance to the countries of the Zone. Minister Nzo will lead discussions which will include peace and security in the zone, the protection of the marine environment and conservation of living resources, the promotion of external trade, investment and economic cooperation and also cooperation against crimes related to drug trafficking and money laundering.
Minister Nzo has also held talks with his counterparts from Uruguay and Argentina on his current visit to South America which ends on 22 October 1998.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 21 OCTOBER 1998