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Your Excellency, Mr. Thierry Cornillet,
Vice-president of the Rhône-Alpes Regional Council,
Members of the Executive Council,
Members of the diplomatic corps,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is indeed a pleasure to welcome the Vice-president of the Rhône-Alpes region of France to the Northern Province. During the past few years we have established a very warm and productive relationship between our respective provinces and the Declaration of Intent that we will be signing today will put an official seal on this friendship.

You have been particularly active in our province through your financial support to the organisation "Hydraulics Without Frontiers" that is involved in various water projects, most notably at Hlogotlou.

Mr Vice-president,

Your visit comes at a time when the Northern Province is ready to embark on a new phase of economic development, growth and job creation. In the past year alone we received commitments of both local and foreign investment to the value of more than R14 billion.

To enable the Northern Province to develop and manage its growing economy will require considerable investment in human development, skills training and empowerment.

Our declaration of intent places great emphasis on the co-operation between our two provinces in the fields of research, knowledge, technological exchanges and training.

The experiences that your agriculture and environment sectors have acquired over the years will be of great benefit to our province. And we trust that you will exchange your experience as one of the primary tourism destinations in Europe.

Mr Vice-president,

You visit us at a time when South Africa hosts the important World Conference against Racism. We are well aware of the leading role that you have played within the European Parliament to raise awareness about discrimination, particularly against the disabled.

South Africa and France share a common aspiration for the rebirth of the continent of Africa. Our government has taken the lead to promote the concept of the New African Initiative with its aims to promote democracy, stability and economic growth throughout the continent.

We appreciate the role that your government has played to support this initiative within the European Community and other international forums.

We trust that this Declaration will strengthen the relationship between the people of the Northern Province and that of Rhône-Alpes. I have no doubt that you will, during your stay in our province, experience the warmth of our people and the gratitude for the contribution that you have already made towards the development of communities.

I thank you.

Issued by Office of the Premier, Northern Province

3 September 2001