Pretoria – South Africa and Nigeria will strengthen bilateral ties when President Jacob Zuma hosts Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan next week.
Jonathan, accompanied by a high-level delegation of cabinet ministers, governors of state, business and senior government officials, will be in the country on a two-day state visit from Monday.
This will be President Jonathan's first visit to the South Africa.
South Africa and Nigeria have over the years enjoyed close bilateral relations that are structured under the Bi-National Commission (BNC), which was officially inaugurated in 1999.
“Our bilateral partnership with Nigeria spans across a wide spectrum covering political, economic and social cooperation,” the Presidency said.
The state visit will be preceded by the 13th Session of the Special Implementation Committee (SIC) meeting of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission.
It is anticipated that the discussions between the two principals will concentrate on bilateral, regional, continental and multilateral issues.
It is also expected that several agreements and memoranda of understanding will be signed following the deliberations between the two Presidents and their delegations on 7 May 2013.
President Jonathan will also address the Joint Sitting of Parliament.
The two Presidents will also participate in the South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum, which will further enhance the economic partnership between the two countries.
It is expected that the state visit to South Africa by Jonathan will elevate the relations and place them on a good footing. – SAnews.gov.za
