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1. The first session of the Joint Commission of Co-operation between the Government of Rwanda and the Government of South Africa was held in Pretoria from 20-22 June 2001.

2. The South African delegation was led by Dr NC Dlamini Zuma, Foreign Minister of the Republic of South Africa, while the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Rwanda, Mr Andre Bumaya, led his country's delegation.

3. The Joint Commission of Co-operation was created when Foreign Minister Dlamini Zuma, signed the General Agreement on Bilateral Co-operation in Kigali on 17 December 1999. The Agreement makes provision for its establishment and provides the formal framework for concrete bilateral co-operation over a wide range of areas, in some of which formal bilateral agreements between South Africa and Rwanda have already been concluded, namely:

* Agreement on Institutional Co-operation in the Field of Agriculture and Livestock;
* Agreement on Co-operation in Education; and
* Agreement for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments.

1. During 20-21 June 2001, talks took place between Working Groups composed of senior officials, technical and scientific experts from government departments and institutions from both countries on a wide range of subjects of co-operation including Foreign Affairs, Safety and Security, Agriculture, Transport and Education. Further areas of discussion included Economic Co-operation, Revenue Matters, Water Affairs and Forestry, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and Central Banking. Discussions took place between the Rwandan private sector and South African organised business.

2. The Heads of Delegation underscored the very cordial relations existing between South Africa and Rwanda. Both Heads of Delegation agreed to further reinforce and forge the bilateral relationship and work unremittingly towards peace and stability in the Great Lakes Region.

3. The Working Group on Foreign Affairs met on 21 June 2001 and conducted intensive and fruitful exchanges of views and analyses on the Great Lakes Region and other conflict areas in Africa, as well as co-operation on matters such as the World Conference Against Racism, UN Security Council Reform, the establishment of the African Union and the Millennium Partnership for the African Recovery Programme (MAP). The Group also touched upon matters such as co-operation in diplomatic training and technical assistance in the field of constitutional expertise and other aspects of human resource development. It was agreed to develop special projects for which funding will be sourced through tripartite co-operation.

4. The Economic Working Group met and considered issues of mutual interest and several projects of co-operation. In general, the following issues were discussed:

a. Strategy for Trade and Industrial Development
b. Co-operation in Spatial Development Initiative Projects
c. Risk Insurance Cover
d. Co-operation in Infrastructural Development Projects
e. Industrial Co-operation in the following sectors:

* Energy/Electricity
* Agro-processing
* Manufacturing and Mining Industries
* Pharmaceutical and Chemical industries
* Information and Communication Technology

A noteworthy envisaged project in this regard, is the Rwanda Beef Project which will involve the establishment of a national breeding herd aimed at exporting beef to Europe, the Far East and other foreign markets. An intensive embryo-transplant programme is foreseen, including the establishment of an Agricultural and Veterinarian Research Centre. The Working Group further discussed a possible Ethanol Project, which would involve the cultivation of crops such as maize, cassava and sorghum to serve as raw materials for the production of Ethanol. A further subject of discussion was an envisaged Methane Gas Project aimed at exploiting methane gas deposits in Lake Kivu

1. Assistance by the Development Bank of Southern Africa in capacity building and support in terms of skills transfer and a line of credit for technical assistance was also studied, with a view to further meetings. The two sides further agreed that, in order to deepen co-operation between the two countries, South African private sector operators should be encouraged to enter into joint venture partnerships which would result in transfer of technology, skills and expertise.

2. Participation in trade fairs and exhibitions in both countries will be facilitated as well as visits of technical teams and business people. The Economic Group also envisaged future technical co-operation in the field of pharmaceuticals and generic medication.

3. The Working Group on Water Affairs and Forestry reviewed previous technical co-operation and discussed further proposals to assist Rwanda in scientific capacity-building, secondment of officials and the promotion of South African private and public involvement in Rwanda.

4. The Working Group on Revenue Matters intensively discussed the negotiation and finalisation of a Double Taxation Agreement before the end of August 2001, as well as assistance in the training of Rwandan tax officials.

5. The Working Group on Correctional Services held exploratory talks on co-operation with Rwanda in the field of training, staff exchanges and logistical support. Reciprocal visits of technical and study teams are envisaged.

6. The Working Group on Tourism reviewed previous discussions and discussed further co-operation in these areas, including a study visit by Rwandan public and private sector tourism representatives. Technical assistance in the development of tourism education and training structures was also studied. Further discussions on a Rwandan National Theme Park are also foreseen.

7. The Working Group on Transport discussed the finalisation of a bilateral transport agreement, which will shortly be ready for signing, as well as related transport matters. The two Heads of Delegation during the first session of the Joint Cooperation Commission signed a Declaration of Intent on Transport Matters on 22 June 2001.

8. The Working Group on Safety and Security discussed areas of co-operation and the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding detailing future co-operation, modalities and a time frame. The establishment of a structured co-operation framework in this field will also be expedited. Senior officials of the South African Reserve Bank and their counterparts from the Bank of Rwanda discussed co-operation in this field, including reciprocal technical study visits, capacity-building and related matters. Senior officials from South Africa and Rwanda in the field of Public Service and Administration initiated intensive talks on co-operation and will be submitting their report to the Joint Commission of Co-operation once finalised.

9. The Working Group on Education discussed the ongoing implementation of the South African-Rwandan Bilateral Agreement on Co-operation in Education. Institutional linkages and exchanges between Rwandan and South African tertiary institutions, such as the Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management, the National University of Rwanda and the Universities of Pretoria and Western Cape were also discussed. The Working Group will set up a task force to work on specific projects.

10. The Head of Delegation of Rwanda announced that visa requirements for the holders of South African passports are waived with immediate effect.

11. Considering what was achieved after deliberations, it transpires that the main sectors of co-operation can be summarised as follows:

a. Foreign Affairs Matters
b. Human Resources and Institutional Building Capacity
c. Information & Communication Technology (with a component of Human Resources and Institutional Building Capacity)
d. Infrastructural Development
e. Agricultural Modernisation
f. Enhance contacts between private sectors of both countries

1. The two Heads of Delegation agreed that the second session of the Joint Commission of Co-operation would be convened in Kigali, Rwanda, during the first half of 2002.

Contact: Dumisani Rasheleng on 083 709 8166/ 012 351 0067/ 0128

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2001