Media Statement
20 March 2023
Minister Pandor to meet her DRC counterpart for Political Consultations
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will meet her counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mr Christophe Lutundula, for diplomatic and political consultations on Tuesday, 21 March 2023, in Kinshasa, DRC.
The purpose of the consultation meeting is to prepare for the 12th Bi-National Commission (BNC) scheduled to be held in May/June 2023.
The meeting will also reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to work with the Government and the people of the DRC, advance bilateral cooperation as well as support the country’s endeavours to build a capable state.
South Africa’s African Agenda is anchored on the pursuit of peace, stability and shared prosperity in Africa. Therefore, its relations with, and involvement in, the DRC is informed by the country’s foreign policy that places the African continent at the centre of its international engagements.
There has been an exchange of high-level delegations between the two countries. In December 2020, President Felix Tshisekedi paid a Working Visit to South Africa, where he met President Cyril Ramaphosa. The two Presidents have also met on the margins of multilateral fora such as SADC Summits.
About thirty-seven (37) Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between the two countries covering a wide range of areas including, among others, agriculture, defence, trade and investment, health, police, energy, etc.
Currently, five Agreements / MoUs are being finalised between the two countries in the areas of mining, transport, science and technology and maritime transport.
South Africa has significant investments in the DRC and the main sectors for investment are financial services; mining and related services; construction and property development; retail; supplier services to the oil, gas and mobile telephony industries; ICT; security and guarding; logistics; and tourism and hospitality.
Minister Pandor arrived in Kinshasa on 17 March 2023, where she participated in the Meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers on 18-19 March 2023.
The Council of Ministers oversees the functioning and development of SADC and ensures that policies and decisions are implemented. The Council consists of Ministers from each of the 16 Member States; usually from the Ministries responsible for Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Economic Planning or Finance, and meets twice a year.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
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