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Media Advisory

29 July 2023

Minister Pandor to undertake a Working Visit to Ethiopia to co-chair the Fourth Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) on Monday, 31 July 2023

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor will undertake a Working Visit to Ethiopia to co-chair the Fourth Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) with her Counterpart, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Demeke Mekonnen on Monday, 31 July 2023.

Minister Pandor will also use the opportunity of her visit to Ethiopia to visit the Kolfe Military Training Centre, which is the Centre, where former President Mandela received his military training. Minister Pandor’s visit to the Centre forms part of activities aimed at commemorating the Mandela Month, which is July in South Africa.

At 17h00, Minister Pandor will deliver a lecture in celebration of the UNISA’s 150th anniversary, under the theme: “Science Diplomacy (and Innovation) in the Reclaiming of Africa’s Intellectual Futures into the Next 150 Years,” at the Ethiopian Regional Centre – Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The JMC oversees the implementation of numerous bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding across various sectors, including trade and investment, science and innovation, health, education, and culture.

The JMC has been preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on 27-28 July 2023 and will receive feedback on the Agreed Minutes of the SOM from the co-chairs of the two Working Groups that have been established, namely, Political and Social Working Group and the Economic Working Group.

Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Ethiopia were established in 1994. In 2004, the two countries signed a General Cooperation Agreement (GCA), which makes provisions for annual meetings of senior officials. In 2008, a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) was established, which created an overarching framework for cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

In January 2020, President Ramaphosa received Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on an official visit to South Africa.  During the visit, the two leaders emphasised the need to focus more on economic cooperation issues. Three legal instruments were signed: Waiver of Visas on Diplomatic and Service passports; Memorandum of Understanding on Health Cooperation, and Tourism Cooperation.

Among others, the key objective of the Minister’s visit to Ethiopia are:

1. To strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation through the convening of the 4th Session of the JMC between South Africa and Ethiopia.

2. To enhance the implementation rate of the signed Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.

3. To explore new possible economic, trade, and investment cooperation areas, especially in telecommunications, road infrastructure, mining, agro-processing, trade and investment, and manufacturing to the benefit of both countries.

4. To highlight successes in the bilateral relations such as the achievements by the University of South Africa (UNISA) – Addis Ababa, identify challenges, and work together to find solutions.

5. To receive an update from the Minister’s counterpart regarding current developments in Ethiopia and the process of national dialogue.

6. To share views on issues of mutual concern in the region and on the continent to advance the African Union’s (AU) objectives as outlined in Agenda 2063; and

7. To exchange views on issues of global concern, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the support for the struggle of the peoples of Western Sahara and Palestine.

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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