15 October 2013
South Africa will count on France’s support for the implementation of United Nations Resolution 2033, which calls for closer coordination between the UN Security Council and the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council, President Jacob Zuma said on Monday.
Zuma was speaking during a state banquet held in Pretoria in honour of visiting French President Francois Hollande.
“South Africa believes that to comprehensively address this challenge of peace and security on the continent, there is a need for closer cooperation between the United Nations Peace and Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council.”
He said the resolution accorded the AU “a leading role” in facilitating the resolution of conflicts on the continent, with the support of the United Nations.
“At a multilateral level there is a need for us to further intensify our collaboration and partnership.
“This we should do … to encourage faster reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council, so that this important world body can become a truly democratic forum, reflecting the political and other realities of the 21st century.”
Zuma and Hollande agreed on Monday that intervention was needed in the Central African Republic to help stabilise the country.
Zuma said that relations between France and South Africa would grow from strength to strength following Hollande’s visit.
In 2012, more than 120 000 French tourists visited South Africa, an increase of 16% compared to 2011. “This shows great potential, which we will continue to harness,” he said.
Among the agreements reached on Monday was for France to supply the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa with more than 3 000 train carriages.
Source: SAnews.gov.za
