By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa and Tunisia held political consultations in Pretoria, with both countries calling for increased cooperation in a range of areas, including economic, security, health, science and technology.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor on Friday hosted Tunisian Foreign Minister, Nabil Ammar.
“I’m really pleased, Minister and brother, to welcome you to Pretoria today on the occasion of our political consultations, which gives us a chance to discuss our bilateral relations – regional, continental and international issues – of mutual interest,” said Pandor.
The political consultations are expected to provide an opportunity for the two Ministers to reflect on the state of bilateral relations between South Africa and Tunisia and discuss further strengthening bilateral cooperation in several areas.
These include economic cooperation, security, health, science and technology.
“The meeting we’re going to have today is also going to lay the ground for the future meeting of our Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC), which we established in 1996.
“However, the last meeting of JBCC was held in 2008. A further meeting is long overdue to revitalise its mission to ensure that we have focused programme areas of cooperation and projects that we execute together,” Pandor said.
The Minister said, she hopes that officials in both countries are going to work hard to ensure they meet these ambitions and come up with concrete programmes of cooperation to work together.
“I do believe we have opportunities to expand and explore, and that these will benefit both our countries, as well as the people of our country. I’ve made reference to stronger cooperation between our business sector as well as stronger cooperation in skills, training and development.”
Ammar said that Tunisia was committed to strengthening its relations with South Africa, and that the two countries had a “shared vision” for the future of Africa.
The two ministers also discussed the need to revitalize the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC), which was established in 1996 but has not met since 2008. Pandor said that she hoped that officials from both countries would work hard to develop concrete programmes of cooperation.
Pandor expressed her interest in strengthening cooperation between the two countries’ business sectors, as well as in skills training and development. She also welcomed Tunisia’s interest in establishing a business forum with South Africa.
“I assure you that I would like to walk together with Tunisia as we advance the goals of Agenda 2063 as well as implement the African Continental Free Trade Area, and together, support our continent to achieve its Developmental Goals.”
Pandor also took the time to express her gratitude to Ammar for attending South Africa’s 15th BRICS Summit last month and leading his country’s delegation.
She also applauded her counterpart after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announced it was adding the Tunisian resort island of Djerba to its list of World Heritage Sites because of its ancient ruins, whitewashed villages, mosques, churches and synagogues.