Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
5 December 2001
A general cooperation agreement was established between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Mozambique during July 1994 which led to the establishment of the Standing Joint Commission for Cooperation between the two countries. The first meeting of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) was held from 2 to 3 May 1996 in Maputo during which a number of issues of mutual concern were addressed.
Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique, Mr Hipolito Patricio led the second meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation which took place in a very cordial atmosphere on 4 to 5 December 2001 in Pretoria. Despite regular bilateral and multilateral contact between the two countries in most fields of shared interest, delegates from both countries addressed a number of key issues that can only be jointly and meaningfully addressed at a forum of this nature. In their opening addresses the two Deputy Ministers made reference to the objectives of the meeting which was to review the current political, economic, diplomatic, commercial and cultural cooperation. Reference was also made to the importance of the New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and the role that the JPCC can play in promoting the objectives of this initiative.
Reflecting the strong bilateral ties between South Africa and Mozambique, the JPCC is a mechanism through which all bilateral issues between the two countries can be addressed and serves as a vehicle to cooperate with and enhance the already successful Heads of State Economic Bilateral meetings, led by Presidents Mbeki and Chissano.
Issues discussed ranged from joint border control arrangements, cross border crime prevention to health, maritime and aviation related issues. Due to the close economic and trade relations South Africa and Mozambique maintain, investment, banking and customs matters were also addressed. The expanding infrastructure and tourism between South Africa and Mozambique led to further discussions between the two countries’ relevant transport and tourism authorities.
A commitment was made to enter into a Protocol of Co-Operation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Co-Operation of the Republic of Mozambique and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa. The two Deputy Ministers also signed the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and the Government of the Republic of South Africa regarding the co-ordination of Search and Rescue Services.