Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
The Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Louis Amado, today met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad.
Mr Amado briefed Mr Pahad on his visit to Matsulu in Mpumalanga where he inaugurated the extensions and technical improvements to the Matsulu Water Treatment Centre. This project will serve around 60 000 people and is financed by the Portuguese Foundation for Economic Cooperation. The total value of the project is $1 million. This project illustrates the strategic cooperation that exists between the two countries in the sector of the basic sanitation and water distribution.
The discussions focused inter alia on developments in the Southern African region in particular Angola. Both agreed that efforts should be increased to find a negotiated settlement to the conflict and emphasised the importance of bringing about humanitarian relief to the plight of the Angolan people.
Given Portugal's role as signatory to the Agreement with the Indonesian Government to determine the peaceful future of East Timor, the situation in East Timor was discussed. The Deputy Minister reiterated South Africa's position that we condemn the killings and stressed that the will of the people should be respected. Both parties welcomed the international force to be deployed in East Timor.
Mr Amado further briefed Mr Pahad on the Portuguese preparations for their EU Presidency during the first half of 2000. They also deliberated on preparations for the important European/African summit which is to take place during the Portuguese Presidency of the EU.
Mr Amado's visit underscores the excellent bilateral relations between South Africa and Portugal as well as their commitment to the region.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
17 SEPTEMBER 1999