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Zuma wraps up successful UK trip

8 March 2010

President Jacob Zuma arrived back to South Africa on Friday after a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, where he shared international priorities with his British counterpart, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and reached agreement on a number of bilateral issues.

Among the agreements reached with Brown was a memorandum of understanding committing the UK to providing £67-million to help the southen African region improve transport infrastructure in eight countries.

This will support Africa's efforts to increase trade and develop economically in order to grow out of poverty.

In a joint communiqué issued by Zuma and Brown, they indicated that as part of this drive, South Africa would prioritise the establishment of a "one-stop border post" between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

It is hoped that this will reduce the costs and bureaucracy associated with cross-border trade.

Zimbabwe

On the political crisis in Zimbabwe, which dominated their talks, Zuma had suggested sanctions be eased - a call that was rejected by Brown.

However, the two leaders called on the Inclusive Government of Zimbabwe to complete as soon as possible the implementation of the Global Political Agreement.

The UK indicated that it would continue to explore with South Africa possibilities for initiatives to encourage positive change and benefit ordinary Zimbabweans.

Both countries called for an immediate end to the harassment, the repeal of repressive legislation and the establishment of the principles of free speech and free association.

"The Inclusive Government must also put in place the conditions for free and fair elections, which are essential if Zimbabwe is to have the future its people deserve," reads the communiqué.

Global issues

With regards to climate change, both countries welcomed the new High Level Advisory Group on Climate Finance, and called for developed countries to provide finance from 2013.

On nuclear weapons, they said they looked forward to US President Barack Obama's Nuclear Security Summit next month, and called for progress in the international treaty framework to stop nuclear proliferation, control the number of nuclear weapons, and approve a new international conventional arms trade treaty through the UN.

They also agreed to continue to work together to reform global institutions tackling some of the world's problems to make them "more representative and more effective, accountable and legitimate".

Zuma and Brown also touched on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with the UK reaffirming its commitment to support the fight against HIV/Aids and the public health system in its new £25-million programme.

The two countries also revisited their ties on education and people-to-people links, among others.

Source: BuaNews