SA, Mali strengthen relations
David Masango
13 August 2004
South Africa and Mali this week concluded a two-day meeting of a joint commission of co-operation that was established in terms of an agreement between the two countries in 2000.
Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and her Malian counterpart, Moctar Ouane, co-chaired the meeting, whose main aim was to strengthen economic and political cooperation between the two countries.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, substantial progress in bilateral co-operation has been made with since President Thabo Mbeki paid a state visit to Mali in November 2001.
"These include cooperation in the fields of minerals and energy, transport, arts and culture, science and technology, health, sport and agriculture", the department said.
South Africa and Mali signed a memorandum of understanding in the fields of sport and recreation in November 2000, a bilateral air services agreement in July 2002, and an agreement on the preservation of
Timbuktu's ancient manuscripts in August 2002.
South Africa has also helped to fund a Cuban medical brigade that has been working in the rural areas of Mali since 2000.
This week, the commission discussed the situation in Ivory Coast, the implementation of the African Union charter on Gender Operationalisation of the Peace and Security Council, and the establishment of the Pan African Parliament.
Also under discussion was co-operation between South Africa and Mali in the gold mining industry, particularly with regard to the stabilisation of the international gold price.
The two countries first established diplomatic ties on 16 May 1994, shortly after a democratic government took over in South Africa.
South Africa's imports from Mali stood at R6.8-million in 2003, while exports stood at R177.6-million.
Source: BuaNews
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