29 May 2000
MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERIAL MEETING OF SADC, 25-26 MAY 2000 SWAZILAND
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad, on his return from the Extra-ordinary Ministerial Meeting of SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, held in Peaks-Pigg, Swaziland on 25-26 May 2000, said that the meeting made good progress.
The meeting was called to consider the draft SADC protocol on politics defence and security co-operation.
The protocol defines the structures, procedures and responsibilities of the organ in order that the organ becomes as effective mechanism for the co-ordinating of policies and activities of members states in the areas of politics, defence and security.
The Deputy Minister said that "SA welcomed the consensus reached on the proposed draft protocol, which will now be submitted to President Mugabe, who is the Chairperson of the SADC organ". President Mugabe will then take the necessary measures to submit the draft proposals to the Heads of State and Government at the forthcoming SADC Summit to be held in Windhoek, Namibia, on August 2000.
The Deputy Minister said that the "consensus on the operationalisation of the SADC organ will make a major contribution to the regions collective efforts to deal with conflict resolution, peace-keeping and peace-making".
For Enquiries contact Mr Dumisani Rasheleng Cell no. 083 709 8166
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
PRIVATE BAG X152
Pretoria
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29 MAY 2000