JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
ON THE OCCASSION OF THE STATE VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA
BY
HIS EXCELLENCY ENG. JOSÉ EDUARDO DOS SANTOS,
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA
25 OCTOBER 2007
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA


1. At the invitation of His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Eng. José Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola, paid a State Visit to the Republic of Namibia from 24 to 25 October 2007.

2. The President of Angola was accompanied by the First Lady, Her Excellency Dr. Ana Paula dos Santos, Cabinet Ministers, and other senior government officials.

3. The Presidents held Official Talks at State House in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, during which President Pohamba was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials.

4. The Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations existing between the two countries. They were particularly happy at the extensive cooperation programmes, at various levels, including government-to-government, private sector, regional and local authorities.

5. The Presidents re-affirmed the progress made in strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and peoples. To this end, the following issues were discussed: agriculture, trade and investment, infrastructure projects, such as energy and water, especially the Baynes Hydro-Power Project, transport, the railway network, immigration and citizenship, public security, law and order, amongst others.

6. The following agreements and protocols aimed at further strengthening cooperation and exchanges between the two countries were signed in the presence of the two Heads of State:

6.1 Cooperation Agreement on General Education;
6.2 Cooperation Agreement on Higher Education and Training of Professionals;
6.3 Protocol on Fisheries and Aquaculture;
6.4 Cooperation Agreement between ANIP (National Agency for Private Investment) and NIC (Namibia Investment Centre);
6.5 Treaty of Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters;
6.6 Treaty on Extradition;
6.7 Protocol on Culture;
6.8 Agreement of Cooperation in the Field of Science, Technology and Innovation;
6.9 Technical Cooperation Agreement in the Field of Health along the Common Border Area;
6.10 Agreement of Cooperation between the Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA) and Agencia Angola Press (ANGOP); and
6.11 Cooperation Agreement on Public Security, Law and Order.

7. The Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the joint programmes between the respective Health Ministries, and encouraged the relevant Ministries to continue with efforts to fight infectious diseases amongst others, such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic, cholera, and polio.

8. President Dos Santos briefed his counterpart on the ongoing socio-economic development and reconstruction in Angola, and the successful first stage of voter registration for the forthcoming national elections.

9. President Hifikepunye Pohamba, in turn, briefed President Dos Santos on political and economic developments in Namibia, including the International Investors Conference to be held in Windhoek the next week.

10. The Presidents exchanged views on the economic and political developments in the region, especially on Zimbabwe. They were appreciative of the role played by South Africa, as appointed by the SADC Troika.

11. The Presidents reiterated their concern over the economic sanctions and other harsh measures imposed on Zimbabwe, which is causing socio-economic hardships to the people of Zimbabwe. The Presidents called for the immediate lifting of these sanctions as they are illegal and unjustifiable.

12. The Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the prevailing peace and political stability in the SADC region. They applauded the peaceful elections recently held in the SADC region.

13. The Presidents, however, expressed concern about the insecurity situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a result of rebel military activities. They encouraged SADC member States to continue supporting the Government of the DRC to consolidating peace and stability in that country.

14. The Heads of State welcomed progress made on the implementation process of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on The Sudan, especially the acceptance by the Sudanese Government to have the AU/UN Hybrid Force deployed in the Darfur region. Notwithstanding the above, the Presidents expressed their concern about the recent killings of AU Peacekeepers in that region.

15. The Heads of State reaffirmed their mutual desire to continue promoting and strengthening the friendly relations of cooperation and solidarity between the two countries and peoples.

16. His Excellency Eng. José Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola, expressed his sincere gratitude to His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba, the Government and the people of the Republic of Namibia for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their stay in Namibia.

17. His Excellency Eng. José Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola, invited His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, to pay a State Visit to the Republic of Angola on a date to be mutually agreed, which President Pohamba happily accepted.

DONE AT WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA, ON 25 OCTOBER 2007.