Issued by Department Of Foreign Affairs
21 November 2000
1. Upon the invitation of HE, Dr Joao Bernardo de Miranda, Minister of External Relation of the Republic of Angola, HE, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, payed an official visit to the Republic of Angola from 17 to 20 November 2000.
2. The visit by HE, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, took place within the context of reinforcing long standing relations and co-operation between the two countries, providing for the creation of a strategic partnership.
3. During the official talks HE, the Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola provided detailed information regarding the situation in Angola, particularly efforts by the Government aimed at establishing peace, national reconciliation and economic reconstruction in Angola. HE, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa thanked the Minister for the information provided and confirmed South Africa's support of the Angolan government position in relation to the peace and economic reconstruction process of Angola.
4. The two parties proceeded with a comprehensive analysis of the state of bilateral relations and expressed their satisfaction regarding their good relations. The two parties resolved to continue to strengthen this relationship. Within this context the two ministers signed an agreement establishing a Bilateral Commission between South Africa and Angola.
5. The two parties reaffirmed the determination and commitment of their respective governments to implement the decisions and resolutions undertaken during the State Visit to Angola in 1998, by President Mandela.
6. Upon analysis of the prevailing conflict situation in the Great Lakes region, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the two parties reaffirmed the importance of the initiatives within the context of the Lusaka Agreement aimed at achieving a negotiated solution which will secure peace and stability in that region.
7. HE, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa delivered an important address to students and senior officials of the Ministry of External Relations on the challenges facing the African continent, especially the reduction of poverty, the promotion of the rights of women, and the closing of the technological gap between the North and the South.
8. HE, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa was formally received by HE, Engineer Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola as well as the Vice President of the National Assembly.
9. Both sides emphasised the exceptional understanding during discussions, which reflected the high level of political relations between the two countries. Within this context it was agreed to continue exploring creative means of achieving the full potential of this relationship.
10. HE, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, expressed her profound gratitude for the welcome and hospitality accorded to her and her delegation by her counterpart and extended an invitation to the Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola to pay an official visit to the Republic of South Africa. The invitation was accepted with appreciation subject to a final date to be finalised via diplomatic channels.
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