Pretoria - Bilateral relations between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo will be further boosted today.
The two countries are meeting today in the DRC capital Kinshasa to reflect on achievements and progress made on political, economic and security issues.
President Zuma arrived in Kinshasa on Thursday for the 9th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC), which he will co-chair with his counterpart Joseph Kabila.
The SA-DRC BNC was preceded by a ministerial meeting on Thursday.
“During their official talks, the two Presidents will review a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues. The two Presidents will further review progress made with the implementation of bilateral projects,” said the Presidency on Thursday.
The two Heads of State will also take the opportunity presented by the BNC to exchange views on the peace, security, stability and development on the continent, paying particular focus in the Great Lakes Region.
South Africa and the DRC have good diplomatic and political relations, which have been declared a resounding success in the past decade.
The two countries cooperate in several projects covering various fields, including security sector reform, infrastructure development, capacity and institutional building, humanitarian and social matters.
South Africa is the DRC's biggest supplier of foreign goods and services, providing more than 20% of the country's total imports.
Bilateral trade increased from R11 billion in 2012 to R 13 billion in 2014.
President Zuma is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and Minister of Energy Tina Joemat-Pettersson.
Other Ministers include Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi; Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters; Minister of Police Nathi Nhleko; Minister of Public Service and Administration Ngoako Ramatlhodi and Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Obed Bapela. - SAnews.gov.za
