Pretoria - Peace and security in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the continent, topped the agenda when President Jacob Zuma and his Angolan counterpart, Eduardo Dos Santos, met in Luanda on Tuesday.
President Zuma was there for a working visit aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries at social, political and economic levels. President Zuma was accompanied by State Security Minister David Mahlobo.
The two Heads of State took note of the progress of the Tripartite Mechanism on Dialogue and Cooperation between Angola, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The mechanism is aimed at helping the DRC to consolidate peace and stability to help establish regional stability and development.
President Zuma and President Dos Santos agreed on the need to ensure the success of the mechanism by implementing the agreed projects such as training of the DRC army, police and other identified economic projects.
"We also used this consultation to discuss issues affecting our region such as the ongoing instability in Burundi and the need for continued intervention by the AU Peace and Security Council, as well as the need for the international community to support these efforts by the AU and East African Community (EAC)," said President Zuma.
He said South Africa, as a former mediator in Burundi, remains ready and will continue to support that country to achieve peace, stability and development.
Other regional issues discussed concerned the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
The Presidents further condemned the recent upsurge in terrorist activities in the world, including in countries such as Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Egypt and Paris.
"We are concerned about these terrorism developments across the globe and have expressed the need for all our countries to be vigilant as no country is immune to terrorist attacks. There is therefore a great need for global cooperation to fight terrorism," said President Zuma.
The two Presidents also used the meeting to reaffirm the historical and fraternal relations between the two countries that were cemented during the period of struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
They further expressed satisfaction with the growing and expanding political, economic and social cooperation between South Africa and Angola ever since the state visits of 2009 and 2010 respectively.
They also noted the 33 agreements and memoranda of understanding that have been signed over the years covering various fields, including agriculture, health, education, trade and industry, defence and security, transport, energy, as well as arts and culture.
President Zuma emphasized the need to implement all signed agreements and urged the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation of the two countries to move with speed. - SAnews.gov.za
