Argentina : South Africa and Argentina to sign agreement on nuclear technology

Argentina - South Africa and Argentina are expected to sign an agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear technology during the South Africa-Argentina Binational Commission currently being held in Buenos Aires.

The commission, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, will be co-chaired by South African Minister for Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and her Argentinean counterpart Dr Jorge Enrique Taiana.

The commission is expected to focus on strengthening south-south relations which is one of government's major priorities.

The South African Government is deeply aware of the importance of nuclear energy not being used to further military purpose.

As a founder member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the most advanced country in the nuclear field on the African continent, South Africa held the designated seat for Africa on the agencies' board of governors until 1977.

The non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and peaceful use of nuclear technology is an issue of mutual interest between the countries.

Other interests include the global food crisis and food management, the energy crisis and impact of global energy (oil and gas) prices on developing countries and the economic and financial crisis among others.

On Tuesday, Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to meet with the Africa Committee of the Argentine Council of International Relations (CARI) where the she will brief the members on perspectives for improving bilateral and regional relations between the two continents.

She is also expected to visit the Argentine Naval Engineering School which once served as the primary torture and detention centre during the military dictatorship.

South Africa and Argentina enjoy sound bilateral relations and the various common ideals and objectives of the two governments provide a potential basis for enhanced bilateral relations.

Since democracy in South Africa in 1994 the two countries have signed a number of bilateral agreements to regulate their bilateral relations.

Argentina described its relationship with South Africa as a strategic one and that South Africa is also viewed as Argentina's strategic partner in the development of its relationship with Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. - BuaNews