Three cooperation agreements signed by Egypt, South Africa
Egypt-South Africa, Politics, 10/24/2001

Egypt and South Africa signed Monday three cooperation agreements in the fields of criminals extradition, judiciary and sports cooperation.

This came at the end of official talks between Egypt and South Africa and meetings of the fifth session on the Egyptian South African Higher Committee under the co-chairmanship of Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher and his South African counterpart Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, currently visiting Egypt.

A joint statement issued at the end of the committee meeting dealt with political coordination between the two countries on regional and international developments.

Speaking at a press conference, Maher and Zuma stressed the importance of boosting relations between the two countries.

The statement pointed to the agreements signed between the two countries and described Zuma's visit to Egypt and the meetings between the two sides as very fruitful.

Maher highlighted South Africa's contribution to the establishment of a hospital for cancer treatment.

On her part, the South African Minister expressed her country's desire to promote cooperation with Egypt in the various domains.

She expressed her country's appreciation for Egypt's support to South Africa in its struggle for liberation."

Asked whether his talks with his South African counterpart dwelt on the conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories, Maher said "We always depend on South Africa's solidarity with the just causes and its sympathy with the Palestinian people.

On her country's stance regarding the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people, the South African Foreign Minister said her country's stand had been crystal clear as regards providing a homeland for the Palestinians.

"Israel cannot feel secure as long as the Palestinians cannot get their rights," she said, adding that the security of Israel is linked to settling the Palestinian question.

With respect to combatting terrorism, she said that her country backs President Hosni Mubarak's call for holding an international conference to fight terrorism, under the auspices of the United Nations.

On South Africa's stance towards the US-led strikes on Afghanistan, the foreign minister said that her country had informed the US administration that the strikes must target terrorists not the Afghan people.

Egypt and South Africa welcomed a possible expansion of the UN Security Council membership.

The joint committee meetings were co-chaired by Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher and his South African counterpart Nkosazana Dlamin-Zuma.

The two ministers affirmed, anew, their condemnation of the September 11 events and urged the international community to adopt President Hosni Mubarak's call for holding an international conference on terrorism-combat, to be held under the UN sponsorship.

Maher and Zuma highlighted the importance of the proposed initiative on launching a dialogue between the developing countries to handle the challenges of globalization.

The South African side updated the Egyptian delegation on Johannesburg's goals with regard to the proposed international summit on sustainable development.

Egypt, on its part, voiced support for the South African initiative and readiness to contribute to render the proposed summit a success.

'The outcome of the third World Conference Against Racism and Racial Discrimination, which had been held last August in Durban, South Africa, figured high on the agenda of talks,' according to the statement.

Also, the top Egyptian and South African diplomats welcomed the positive results of the Lusaka Summit which gave birth to the African Union.

The two parties exchanged views about the situation in Sudan and welcomed the UNSC resolution on lifting the sanctions off the Arab-African country.

The South African delegation lauded the efforts exerted by Egypt to help realise a peaceful solution for the Sudanese issue.

Within this context, South Africa praised the Egyptian Libyan initiative on reconciliation in Sudan.

The two sides agreed that coordination should be maintained between the Egyptian-Libyan initiative and that of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD).

As regards the Middle East peace process, the parties highlighted the necessity of shore up the peacemaking drive.

They vocalized support for efforts to realise a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.

'The Arab-Israeli conflict should be settled via the full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State,' they said.

Egypt and South Africa welcomed the US stance which confirmed the Palestinian people's right to an independent state.

As regards bilateral relations, Egypt and South Africa expressed satisfaction over the level of cooperation agreements in the fields of criminals extradition, judiciary and sports cooperation.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt, South Africa boost Arab-African cooperation   (4/14/2001)
  Egyptian - South African interaction, highly important   (7/20/2000)
  Mandela to visit Cairo, Islamabad   (5/3/1999)

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