Issued by: Office of the Presidency
5 November 2001
1. At the invitation of his Brother and Friend, His Excellency, Mr Alpha Oumar KONARE, President of the Republic of Mali, His Excellency Mr Thabo MBEKI, President of the Republic of South Africa, paid a State Visit to the Republic of Mali from 02-04 November 2001, leading an important delegation INCLUDING THE South African Ministers OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, transport and Sport and Recreation; the Deputy Ministers of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology; Trade and Industry; and Minerals and Energy; Senior Officials and business people.
2. This historic visit comes within the framework of consultation and permanent dialogue between the Heads of State of both countries, aimed at strengthening further the friendly relations of solidarity and fraternal cooperation between both countries.
3. President KONARE conferred the award of the Grand Cross of the National Order of Mali on President Mbeki at a banquet held in his honour on the 2nd of November 2001.
4. President MBEKI was invited to participate in the closing ceremony of the Month of Solidarity, an initiative of the Government of Mali, aimed at addressing the challenge of underdevelopment and poverty in Mali.
5. President MBEKI also visited Timbuktu, a city once renowned for its commercial, intellectual, cultural and technological progress. The visit symbolised the commitment of both Presidents to the renewal of Africa.
6. The South African business delegations interacted with their Malian counterparts and explored areas of investment and other joint ventures.
7. During his stay, His Excellency Mr Thabo MBEKI, President of the Republic of South Africa, had a tête-=E1-tête with President Alpha Oumar KONARE, followed by extended discussions by the Presidents and their delegations. These talks, which took place in an atmosphere of brotherhood and mutual understanding, dealt with bilateral relations, as well as general and international issues of common interest. The two leaders agreed that the visit is a consolidation of relations between their peoples within the context of the new Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
8. The two Heads of State commended the age-old, fraternal relations uniting the peoples of Mali and South Africa. They reaffirmed their strong will to do all they can to strengthen and foster these relations further with a view to ensuring a harmonious development of their countries. To this effect, they committed themselves to take all appropriate steps in order to make the cooperation between South Africa and Mali a model of South-South cooperation. To achieve this, the two Heads of States acknowledged the urgent need for intensifying sectoral meetings, at the levels of government institutions, as well as between the economic role-players of both countries.
9. In the area of sport and recreation a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Mali with specific reference to football both male and female, basketball and athletics. The priority, however, is the hosting of the 23rd African Cup of Nations to be hosted by Mali from the 19 January to 10 February 2002. South Africa commits itself to giving assistance to the Republic of Mali in the areas of ground and air transportation, as well as in medical and anti-doping matters.
10. In the field of Defence, the two parties agree on the need for long term co-operation in peacekeeping and training.
11. Both parties proceeded by discussing closer co-operation in fields such as : energy, minerals and mining, commerce and industry, air transport, health, agriculture, sports and recreation, arts, culture, science and technology, defence and foreign affairs.
12 As for commercial exchanges, both parties agreed on the need to organise commercial fairs in either country.
13. Both parties also welcomed the first meeting between South African traders and Malian traders in Bamako, which must result in a Forum for Investors of both countries.
14. Both parties recognised the imperious need to pursue and intensify the sectoral meetings both at the level of the governmental institutions and that of the private trade operators.
15. To this effect, they decided to hold the first Session of the Joint Commission of co-operation during the first three months of the year 2002.
16. Regarding continental issues the two Heads of State welcomed the coming into force of the African Union and committed themselves to work in partnership for Africa's development. They reaffirmed their commitment to the economic integration of the continent.
17. Concerning the situation in Burundi, both parties commended the coming into force of the Arusha Agreement for the transitory period. To this effect, they lauded the tireless efforts of President Nelson MANDELA as international mediator.
18. On other international issues, the two Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to the objectives of the United Nations and the OAU appropriate frameworks for the promotion and strengthening of peace, solidarity and cooperation between states.
19. Regarding the Middle East, the two Heads of State deplored the worsening of the situation in the occupied territories, and appealed strongly to both sides in the conflict for the rapid resumption of the peace dialogue.
20. Concerning the recent terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 in the United States of America, both parties reaffirmed their strong condemnation of these unspeakable and barbaric attacks. They reaffirmed their humanitarian support for the victims of terrorist attacks in the United States and elsewhere in the world.
22. His Excellency Mr Thabo MBEKI, President of the Republic of South Africa, expressed his thanks to His Excellency Mr Alpha Oumar KONARE, President of the Republic of Mali, for the warm welcome and the particular Malian hospitality extended to his delegation and to himself during their stay in Mali.
23. His Excellency Mr Thabo MBEKI, President of the Republic of South Africa, invited His Excellency Mr Alpha Oumar KONARE, President of the Republic of Mali, to make an official visit to the Republic of South Africa. The invitation was accepted with pleasure. The date will be commonly agreed through diplomatic channels.
Enquiries: Tasneem Carrim
083 650 7119