Sa Reiterates Support for New Zimbabwe

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated South Africa's commitment to work with Zimbabwe in addressing the socio-economic challenges experienced by the two neighbouring countries.President Ramaphosa made the commitment in his opening remarks of the SA-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Tuesday.

The President is in the country for the third session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe BNC with his counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The visit is part of efforts to strengthen mutual cooperation and deepen the implementation of 45 bilateral agreements during the Bi-National Commission (BNC).

The BNC is preceded by a ministerial session, which was held on Monday, to consider and adopt the draft agreed minutes and joint communique negotiated by senior officials on 7 and 8 March 2019. During his address, President Ramaphosa said he is encouraged that the two countries are both committed to adhering to the BNC agreement signed in April 2015, which stipulates that the two countries should meet annually. "Although our BNC is only just over three years old, our relations date several decades.

Through steadfast servicing of this BNC, our two countries will be able to consolidate the bilateral cooperation existing between our countries and to explore other areas of cooperation," the President said. He saluted the new administration for its efforts through the Programme of Action to take Zimbabwe out of its current difficulties and make it a viable partner for South Africa, the region and other development partners.

"In support of your commendable efforts, in February of this year at the World Economic Forum, South Africa made a call to the international community to assist Zimbabwe and lift sanctions. We are pleased that the European Union heeded the call and in February 2019 decided to lift sanctions on the current members of your administration," he said.

President Ramaphosa said this...