Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has left Algeria after he held fruitful discussions with his counterpart President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
The one-day working visit by Zuma saw the two reaffirming their commitment to consolidate bilateral, diplomatic, political and economic relations within the framework of the Presidential Bi-National Commission (BNC).
The two regional heavyweights, who already enjoy good relations, found common ground on housing, oil and gas, ICT and defense sectors which are viable areas within which both countries can share valuable expertise and experience.
At a continental level, Zuma and Bouteflika, who are both staunch supporters of the African Union, also discussed the disturbing trend of soldiers who become rebels and then seek to attain political power through unconstitutional military means.
“They agreed that the AU and its Peace and Security Council must play a leading role in curbing the trend and finding peaceful resolutions to the conflicts within the countries that are affected,” the Presidency said in a statement issued after the visit on Monday.
In this regard, the ministerial mid-term review is scheduled to take place in the first half of 2013 in Algeria, to be followed by the Presidential BNC thereafter.
The two Presidents also discussed the recent 5th BRICS Summit in Durban and overall advantages of South Africa's membership to the whole of the continent.
Today, President Zuma is in Nigeria where he will be hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan on similar issues. –SAnews.gov.za
