Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
15 October 2002
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs today, Tuesday, 15 October 2002 returned to South Africa following a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iran and Qatar.
While in the region, the Deputy Minister met with senior officials of all the respective governments. "The strategic importance of the region to South Africa is illustrated by the fact that there are 13 South African Missions in the region - the fourteenth would be established when the Mission in Oman is opened in November 2002. It is therefore important that relations be consolidated," said Deputy Minister Pahad.
In Dubai, consultations were held with the Minister of Planning, Humaid bin Ahmad Al Mualla; the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Rashed Al Nuaimi; and the Director in the Office of President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ali Salem Al Kaabi.
In Oman the Deputy Minister met with Sheikh Salem Bin Hilal Al-Khaliki, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries; Ahmed Bin Abdul Nabi Macki, the Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of Financial Affairsand Energy Resources Council; Abdallah Bin Salem Al-Rawas, President of the Oman Chamber of Commerce andIndustry; Jumaa Ali Al-Jumaa, the Minister of Labour Force; Yousef Bin Alawi Bin Abdulla, the MinisterResponsible for Foreign Affairs; and Dr Khamis Bin Mubarak Al-Alawi, the Minister of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources.
In Iran, political consultations were held with Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyyed Kamal Kharrazi and the Deputy Foreign Foreign Minister, Dr Sadr in Tehran.
All principals were briefed on the Regional Heads of Mission Conference held in Dubai earlier in the week, the inauguration of the African Union in Durban earlier this year, the World Summit on Sustainable Development hosted by South Africa, NEPAD and developments on the African Continent -viz. the end of the civil war in Angola, the peace process in the DRC and the Great Lakes region, the conflict situation in the Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe.
The escalating violence in the Middle East and the threat of war against Iraq was discussed during consultations. It was reiterated by all that United Nations Security Council Resolutions should be adhered to and that the international community should help ensure that these were respected, accepted and implemented.
Deputy Minister Pahad reiterated, "that a secure Israeli State would only be possible if the right of Palestinians to self determination was honoured."
Without exception, NEPAD was hailed as a programme that would ultimately lead to Africa assuming a leadership role in global politics. Principals of all Governments, pledged their support to NEPAD and expressed the desire for engagement with the South African Government to discuss partnerships for mutual benefit.
In addition, the Iranian Foreign Ministry indicated that a core group of people representing both the Iranian public and the private sectors would be established to act as the economic interface with Africa. Iran would also give Africa preferential access to the Iranian market and access to development funds and ODA.
Political cooperation in terms of South-South cooperation was discussed. "It is time the developing world consolidated its relations with actual partnerships so that the South can play a meaningful role in a rapidly globalising world," said Deputy Minister Pahad.
In terms of economic relations, the Deputy Minister said that while trade between the countries was substantial, he believed that the economic potential was not being fully exploited by the South African private sector and parastatals. "Political relations are very good and there is a commitment to transform these into strong economic relations," said Deputy Minister Pahad.
In this regard, the Iranian Government highlighted the following institutions that would be willing to engage in partnerships with African Governments to support NEPAD and expand our economic relations -Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation, the International Consultants and Contractors Association of Iran, the Iranian Foreign Investment Company and the Iranian Surplus Fund. The possibility of expanding shipping lines with Africa was also discussed.
The possibility of greater exchanges of technical assistance by was discussed. In this regard the Deputy Minister reiterated the desire by President Mbeki that co-operation is all respects be expanded -politically, economically and socially.
In meetings with Omani representatives, co-operation in respect of the desalination of water, the treatment of waste-water and the preservation of forests was discussed.
Finally, South Africa was congratulated on the successful hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development by representatives of the Governments of the UAE, Iran, Oman and Qatar.