SA, Lesotho to build closer ties
16 August 2010
President Jacob Zuma on Friday concluded his state visit to Lesotho by signing several agreements with the landlocked country.
During his two-day visit an agreement on a grant from the African Renaissance Fund for the implementation of the advance infrastructure component of the Metolong Dam and water supply programme was signed.
Other agreements included memorandums of understanding on economic cooperation, as well as concerning cooperation in the legal field, and a declaration of intent on the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
Strengthening existing cooperation
Eight cabinet ministers as well as the speaker of the national assembly and senior government officials accompanied the president on his trip, which included talks with Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili.
Zuma also addressed the joint sitting of Parliament, where he called for strengthening of the existing cooperation in political, economic, social and security sectors of the two countries.
He also launched the dialogue between South African and Lesotho businesspeople, where discussions focused on issues that touch the lives of ordinary people like the facilitation of free movement of people and goods along the common borders.
Cooperation in the fields of tourism, transport and water sectors; implementation of all the bilateral agreements were also on the agenda.
US Security Council seat
In a joint communiqué, the Prime Minister assured President Zuma of Lesotho’s unwavering support for South Africa's candidature for the non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the 2011/12 term.
Lesotho also thanked South Africa for its support during the attacks that were made at the Makoanyane Military Base, the State House and against some residents of Maseru in April 2009.
SA was commended for the role it plays in peace keeping operations particularly for providing troops in the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
President Zuma extended an invitation, which was accepted, to Lesotho King Letsie III to visit South Africa.
Source: BuaNews
