THE TECHNICAL GROUP MEETING IN PREPARATION FOR THE 3RD SESSION OF THE NIGERIA/SOUTH AFRICA BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION IN ABUJA

7 March 2001

The South African advance Technical/expert Team arrived in Abuja, Nigeria on 06 Tuesday, March 2001 for the preparation of the 3rd Session of the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission due to commence on the 12 to 14 March, 2001.

The Technical/Expert Team is composed of the officials from different government departments and parastatals such as Foreign Affairs, Trade & Industry, Arts, Culture, Science & Technology, Minerals & Energy, Public Enterprises, Defence, Home Affairs, SA Police Services, Denel and Escom.

The opening the meeting took place today and was officiated over by Ambassador Ibrahim B. Mohammed, the Director of the International Economic Co-operation in the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the South African High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Bangumzi Sifingo.

An overview of the Nigeria/South Africa Co-operation, thereafter took place, in which the following issues were discussed:

• Progress since the inaugural and 2nd sessions
• Status of Agreements
• New Agreements for negotiations
• New areas of collaboration After the plenary, the meeting then broke into the following key working groups with specific agendas: Foreign Affairs & Co-operation
• Peace and Security issues in Africa
• Multilateral issues
• Defence co-operation between the two countries
• Trans-national crime
• Immigration Trade & Industry / Finance
• Strategy for trade and industrial development
• Progress and reports on the Bi-lateral economic agreements signed during the 2nd session
• Cop-operation in sectoral projects
• Inauguration of the South Africa - Nigeria Chamber of Commerce Minerals & Energy
• Mining and mineral processing
• Implementation of projects and exploration Science, Technology, Education, Culture &Tourism
• Draft Agreement on Co-operation in the fields of Science and Technology
• Draft Framework Programme of Co-operation in Science and Technology
• Protocol of the Programme of Implementation of Educational Co-operation and Exchanges
• Exchange of exhibitions Public Enterprises
• Privatisation ad concessioning
• New areas of Co-operation

The working groups are expected to conclude their work and report back to the plenary, for the closing session on Friday, 09 March 2001, before the arrival of the Ministers and Deputy President on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

For more information contact Robert Mcbride Cell no. 082 459 3787

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
PRIVATE BAG X152
Pretoria
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