STATEMENT ON THE VISIT OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER MR AZIZ PAHAD TO EGYPT

4 March 2001

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Aziz Pahad, completed a successful working visit to Egypt from 26 to 28 February 2001. During the visit, Deputy Minister Pahad held a number of important meetings with high-ranking officials of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, other Government officials and with the Arab League. Mr Pahad held meetings with, amongst others:

• The Assistant Minister for African Affairs of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Ms Mona Omar.
• The Assistant Minister for Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Affairs, Mr Elycee.
• The Deputy Secretary General of the Cairo based Arab League, Mr Said Karmal.
• The Special Advisor to President Mubarak, Dr El-Bas.

The following issues were discussed:

• The Binational Commission between Egypt and South Africa.
• Co-operation between COMESA and SADC.
• The African Renewal Programme.
• The Sirte Extra Ordinary Summit of the OAU.
• Peace making efforts in African conflicts in, amongst others, Angola, DRC and Sierra Leone.
• The Middle East peace process.
• Iraq
• The reform of the United Nations and other multilateral organisations.
• Strengthening of the NAM, G77 & China.
• Establishing the Egypt/South African Business Council.

Both sides emphasised the importance of further enhancing the strong relations between the two countries, especially through the strengthening of the Binational Commission and in particular the Business Council.

Regarding the Middle East peace process, discussions focused on the need to immediately resume the peace talks on all issues regarding Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. In particular, the Right of Palestinians to self determination in their own state on the basis of land for peace and international legitimacy was re-iterated as constituting the core prerequisites for the attainment of peace and stability in the Middle East. Two sides also reiterated their condemnation of the excessive use of force and collective punishment by the Israeli security forces against the Palestinian people.

Egypt and South Africa further agreed to work together towards brining to an end the devastating conflicts in, inter alia, Angola, DRC and Sierra Leone. Egypt and South Africa agreed to enhance their co-operation on a range of multilateral issues, especially as regards the activities of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM).

The crucial importance of the forthcoming Egypt - South Africa Binational Commission, which is to be held in the middle of this year in Egypt, was emphasised.

High level officials from the two countries are due to meet on 28th March in preparation for the Binational Commission. To this end, a call was made to the private sector in both countries to redouble their efforts towards the promotion of the Egypt/South Africa Business Council.

Although trade statistics last year showed imports from Egypt as R51,058,939 and exports to Egypt as R107,678,169 it was agreed that more could be done to increase trade between the two countries. To this end the DFA, in conjunction with the Egyptian government and other relevant South African government departments, is working towards devising a new strategy for trade between the two countries.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
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