Delegations from the Republic of Namibia and the Republic of South Africa hold high-level discussions in Windhoek in order to strengthen bi-lateral relations between the two Southern African states.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
By Lahja Nashuuta 05-11-2010
Courtesy of the Southern Times
Windhoek - Namibian and South African leaders met in Windhoek on Thursday to strengthen bi-lateral relations.
President Jacob Zuma led a high-powered delegation of at least seven ministers and other senior officials for official talks with his Namibian counterpart President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who also led a full team of ministers and officials to the meeting at State House.
The two delegations held official talks under the auspices of the 11th Session of the Heads of State Economic Bilateral meeting.
Both Presidents spoke of the need to increase trade between the two countries and to work towards the wider goal of economic integration under the SADC banner.
President Pohamba is current chair of the 15 - member SADC bloc.
South Africa is Namibia's biggest trading partner with Windhoek importing 85 percent of its needs from her giant neighbour.
The two trade ministers from the two countries met last month to review progress on last year;s meeting and to exchange notes.
The issue of regional integration and co-operation on industrial development were among issues discussed at the meeting.
Speaking before the start of official talks, President Pohamba said: 'This (regional integration) is vital especially in light of the fact that Namibia and South africa currently hold the chairmanship of SADC and SACU, respectively.
'We are fully aware that both SACU and SADC have initiated ambitious programmes for deepen regional co-operation which we, as Heads of state, have approved at the summits of the two organisations.
He said with regard to SACU, a new vision and mission had been adopted that recognises the role that the Customs Union can play as a building block for deeper regional economic integration.
At the SADC summit in Windhoek in August, it was agreed to establish a process that would define the future of the SADC Customs Union, as well as the related benchmarks and modalities.
'We should therefore work together to ensure that these two processes are effectively and fully harmonised,' said President Pohamba.
In his remarks before the official talks President Zuma said the co-operation between South Africa and Namibia offered real prospects for development and growth in the two countries.
'...In addressing the future of our countries, we must, among other things, focus on the fundamental issues of development namely, the alleviation of poverty, inequality, unemployment and the other social ills that continue to afflict our societies.'
President Zuma said the the two countries' geographic proximity provides an opportunity for the development of cross-border infrastraucture, which one fully development will act as catalyst for economic development not only between the two countries but also the ensure SADC neighbourhood.
He said as current chairperson of SACU, South Africa would work closely with Namibia - as SADC chair to ensure that the two bodies complement each other for a deeper integration of the SADC region.
'Your Excellency, Africa stands on the threshold of a momentous and historic epoch of economic growth and development,' Zuma told his counterpart.
'In this regard, the NEPAD Heads of State Implementation committee on the sidelines of the AU summit in Kampala took a decision to establish an infrastructure committee at Heads of State level to drive and oversee the process of infrastucture development on the African continent.'
He said Africa's economic integration should be an organic process evolving from regional economic communities that will logically fuse into a single gigantic economy in line with the dictates of the Abuja treaty.
'In this regard,' said President Zuma, 'we should spare no efforts in increasing the momentum of integration between SADC, COMESA and EAC. This tripartite economic projects holds real prospects for contributing to continental efforts aimed at increasing intra-Africa trade,' he said.
He called for a speedy resolution of all outstanding issues with regard to the EPAs with the European Union.
'Following our recent interaction with the European Union, we are convinced that like never before, disagreements with the EU on this matter have been narrowed and we are on the verge of finalising an agreement that recognises our developmental challenges while at the same time creating opportunities for mutual benefit.'
Meanwhile, President Zuma and his delegation left for South Africa later on Thursday.
No comments:
Post a Comment