Banda, Zuma directs Pande, Mashabane to convene an inaugural session of JPCC

President Rupiah Banda and South African President Dr. Jacob Zuma have directed Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Co-operations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to convene an inaugural session of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) early next year.

The two Heads of State noted that the JPCC which was signed in 2005 has not been inaugurated.

President Banda and Zuma acknowledged that the long standing support for liberation in South Africa has led to the establishment of deep mutual bonds for the benefit of the peoples in the two countries.

This is according to a joint communiqué issued by President Banda and his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma and read by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Co-operations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

The communiqué stated that the two presidents held official talks during which they reviewed a wide range of bilateral regional and international issues reiterating the need to collaborate in the fight against poverty, under-development and HIV/AIDS.

On regional issues, the two leaders expressed views on the prevailing political, economic and security situations in the region.

President Zuma commended President Banda for the role Zambia plays as Deputy Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Co-operation in the Southern Africa Development Community, SADC.

The communiqué said President Banda, similarly commended President Zuma for the role South Africa was playing in her facilitating peace in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Banda further commended South Africa for being the first African country to host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Both leaders wished the participating team’s success in the tournament slated for January next year.

The two leaders committed themselves to working together in pipit of the SADC Agenda, African Union and integration within the framework of the consultative act of the AU.

Mr. Pande said the two leaders welcomed the international efforts that seek to address the global financial crisis which has negatively affected especially the developing countries.

He said President Banda has accepted the invitation by President Zuma to visit South Africa for a State visit to be announced later through diplomatic channels.

Mr. Pande said President Zuma , at the end of his state visit expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to President Banda, the government of Zambia and its people for the warm hospitality and fraternal reception accorded to him and his delegation.

The state visit afforded the Zambian and South African governments an opportunity to sign two agreements and four memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing bilateral co-operation in sectors of energy, mining, diplomatic consultations, trade and cooperation, health and agriculture.

Meanwhile, President Zuma has since returned to his home country.

Dr. Zuma was accompanied by the First Lady Nompumelelo Ntuli, eight minister and more than 60 South African businessmen and women.

He was seen off at the Lusaka International airport by President Banda, First lady Thandiwe, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Zambia Moses Chikane, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Leslie Mbula, Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja, cabinet ministers, defense chiefs, MMD party and senior government officials from Zambia and South Africa.