BuaNews (Tshwane)
22 June 2011
Pretoria — International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in Mali on Tuesday evening for her two-day official visit to that country, her office said.
The visit is aimed at strengthening and deepening bilateral and economic relations between South Africa and Mali.
It was Nkoana-Mashabane’s first visit to Mali since taking office in 2009, with officials saying the trip will give her an opportunity to “interact and stimulate dialogue” with her counterpart on issues of common interest.
These include social, economic and security development in their respective countries, the African region and in the international arena.
“The two countries have cordial relations preceded by the establishment of full diplomatic relations on 16 May 1994 – after South Africa’s first democratic elections,” said the International Relations Department.
A Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) between the two countries was established in December 2000, and the first JCC meeting was held in South Africa in August 2004. The last meeting of the JCC took place in December 2006 in Mali.
South Africa and Mali also signed a social development agreement in October 2009 while the two countries are in the process of finalising a Health Agreement, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Youth Development.
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