Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sue Van der Merwe has concluded discussions about economic co-operation with her Iranian counterpart.
Sheikhattar Alireza, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Cooperation, is in South Africa for a working group meeting, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said in a statement on Friday.
Sheikhattar briefed Van der Merwe on the status of the current nuclear issue regarding Iran and she reiterated South Africa’s position in this regard.
This was ahead of the first meeting of the working group of the heads of mission of the council of ministers of the Indian Ocean Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) in Pretoria.
During her opening address at the meeting on Thursday, Van der Merwe highlighted the importance of the association as an instrument to promote shared economic benefit between all member states.
The IOR-ARC is a multilateral organisation comprised of countries that share a shoreline along the Indian Ocean and was launched in March 1997 in Mauritius with a view to focus mainly on trade-related issues.
The working group deliberated on improved facilitation of business travelling within the region, increasing trade between member states and enhanced foreign direct investments facilitated through the association’s website.
The fast-tracking of a preferential trade agreement among six member states, tsunami early warning systems within the region and sharing of information on avian flu were also discussed.
Environmental issues on the table included an integrated coastal management programme, a fisheries protocol among members and the promotion of inter-regional tourism. Another point discussed was increased student and academic exchange within the region.
The IOR-ARC member states include Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Sheikhattar is in the country until Saturday and is accompanied by HR Ershadi, director for multilateral economic cooperation at the Iranian foreign affairs ministry.
Also in attendance at the inaugural IOR-ARC working group meeting, was the executive director of the IOR-ARC coordinating secretariat based in Mauritius, Tuan Zarook Samsudeen. – Sapa