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9 March 2009

Ambassador Extraordinary Your Excellency Mr D Pietton
Esteemed Members of the French Diplomatic Corps
Our Deputy National Commissioners
Commissioner Pruis
Commissioner Hlela
Commissioner Stander
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

Your Excellency, the South African Police Service (SAPS), my entire delegation and I are immensely honoured and delighted that you found time to be with us on this very important cooperative and developmental endeavour between France and South Africa.

We wish to convey the warmest greetings of the government and people of South Africa to the government and people of France. The people of France stood shoulder to shoulder with their South African sisters and brothers as we prosecuted a long and painful struggle to end the evil system of apartheid.

This for us, is yet another opportunity to again say thank you to the government and people of France for the help you gave us, and for the continued assistance you render as we work to reconstruct our country and ensure that the new South Africa plays a just and progressive role within the family of nations.
The bonds of friendship and solidarity between France and South Africa continue to gain strength.

In 1998 our respective governments signed a Co-operation Agreement with the desire to make an active contribution in combating criminal activity in all its forms.

We undertook to co-operate in the prevention, detection suppression and investigation of crime, including but not limited to:
* corruption and organised crime
* illicit trafficking of firearms, ammunition, explosives and poisonous substances
* economic crimes, including money-laundering, production and sale of forged banknotes, securities and other fraudulent documents
* trafficking in stolen goods
* human trafficking.

This co-operation is informed by our shared understanding that the world community cannot afford to function in isolation in what has essentially become a connected global village. The very nature of this global community makes it all the more easier for criminals to exploit lack of integration and co-operation in global initiatives. Sharing of experiences, information, skills and knowledge is critical in the effort to defeat crime. The French support programme has greatly enhanced our capacity in the fields of Public Safety and Police Training.

The training of SAPS members in specialised fields, procurement of specialised technical equipment, as well as the sharing of expertise in the field of tracking have all strengthened the fight against crime. We are deeply grateful to France for the priority solidarity funds agreement, an initiative that will strengthen our capacity to fight transnational crimes.

I am pleased that our governments share a common determination to defeat crime, as well as reinforce our capacity to respond to terrorist threats as we work to realise the goal of a better life for all. Your Excellency, we would once more wish to convey our gratitude to the government and people of France on their continued effort to help us turn our dreams into reality.

Thank you.

Issued by: Department of Safety and Security
9 March 2009