Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
3 February 2002
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma arrived in Teheran, capital of Iran on Sunday, 3 February 2002 ahead of the 6th Session of the South Africa-Iran Joint Commission scheduled from Monday, 04 February to Tuesday, 05 February 2002.
The Minister is leading a Government and private sector delegation which includes Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala Msimang, Director General of Minerals and Energy, Adv Sandile Nogxina, the Chief State Law Advisor, Adv Enver Daniels, Foreign Affairs Acting Deputy Director General, Dr Anil Sooklal, officials from Trade and Industry, Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, South African Police Services, representatives of SASOL, Bateman, Global Railways Engineering and DENEL.
The SA-Iran Joint Commission will focus on political and regional issues including developments in the Great Lakes, Southern Africa and the Persian Gulf; the situation in the Middle East as well as the reconstruction, and the creation of peace and security in Afghanistan.
The Commission also hopes to discuss the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development; the impact of NEPAD in the development of the African continent; the global fight against terrorism; the role of dialogue amongst civilizations in World Peace and possible areas of cooperation between SADC and ECO.
South Africa and Iran have already signed 11 agreements to expand their relations. In this regards Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking will be signed at the end of the Joint Commission on Tuesday 5 February whilst an Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Agreement will be negotiated during the Joint Commission.
Other key economic and commercial issues to be discussed are: cooperation in primary health care, manufacturing of pharmaceutical products and the engagement of South African oil and mining companies with Iranian counterparts. The diversification of bilateral trade away from the present trade in commodities will also be a focus of attention from the South African side.
For further information, please contact Mr Ronnie Mamoepa on 09 98 9112129792