13 December 1999
The Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar signed a Protocol on cooperation with the Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management today in Pretoria. The Protocol is a direct result of the visit of Mrs. Netelenbos, the Dutch Minister of Transport, to South Africa in October of this year.
The Ambassador of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. H.R.R.V. Froger, will be the official witness to the signature. A similar ceremony will take place in the Netherlands on 5 January 2000, when Mrs. Netelenbos co-signs the protocol in the presence of South African Ambassador H.E. Mr. C. Niehaus.
The protocol launches the SANTF, the South African Netherlands Transport Forum, a high level bilateral working group that will develop, review and discuss projects to be implemented in South Africa. The first meeting of the forum will probably be held in the Netherlands early next year. Amongst others, the protocol outlines cooperation in the field of ports as well as road- and airtraffic. Specific attention will be given to safety issues. Initial funding of R 1 mln. will be made available by the dutch government to facilitate workshops and studies. The aim is to involve the private sectors of both countries as the prime movers of the process, and to promote public/private partnerships when- and wherever possible. Minister Omar has gladly accepted the invitation of Mrs. Netelenbos to visit the Netherlands; his visit will take place in May/June 2000.
Issued by
Mike Mabasa
Media Liaison Officer to Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar
Pretoria
13 December 1999
083 680 7048