Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
On 29 and 30 November 1999 a senior delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Romania met with senior officials of the South African Department of Foreign Affairs to discuss a number of issues which included the state of and prospects for political and economic relations between Romania and South Africa, developments in the Southern African region as well as the Balkans, multilateral cooperation and other international issues of mutual concerns.
The Romanian delegation was led by the Director-General for Asia-Pacific , Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Mr Gheorghe Magheru, whilst the South African component was headed by the Deputy Director-General , Amb Jerry Matsila. During the discussions at the Government Guesthouse in Pretoria , both sides agreed that there was a need to further consolidate and expand the political and economic relations between the two countries. It was furthermore agreed that the process of political consultations between the two departments should be stepped up and consideration was given to an appropriate consultation mechanism which will be finalised in the near future.
Particular attention was also paid to the potential for expanding economic relations between the two countries. During the discussions it was acknowledged that the following agreements have been finalised and will be signed in the near future: Agreement on the Protection and Promotion of Investments; Agreement on Cooperation in Sport; and Air Transport Agreement.
The South African delegation was particularly interested in Romanian geo-strategic location and its possible membership of the European Union in the near future. Prospects for South African companies exist in mining, banking and numerous infrastructural projects. As leading emerging markets in their respective sub-regions, South Africa and Romania could bring closer SADC and Black Sea Economic Cooperation.
This is Mr Magheru's first visit to South Africa since his appointment to the post of Director-General in July 1999, having previously served at the Council of Europe. Mr Magheru will be in South Africa from the 28th of November through to the 2nd of December 1999. During this visit his programme includes meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director-General in the President's office as well as a number of meetings with various business and foreign policy institutes. On the 1st of December , Mr Magheru will be the guest of honour at the Romanian National Day celebrations being organised by the Embassy of Romania.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
30 NOVEMBER 1999