[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 26 (Monday, July 2, 2001)]
[Page 971]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Thabo Mbeki

June 26, 2001

    President Bush and President Mbeki committed to build on and 
strengthen the already excellent ties between the United States and 
South Africa. We committed ourselves to achieving our shared goals of 
building a stronger strategic partnership and promoting economic growth 
and democracy in Africa and globally.
    We reaffirmed that our governments will meet regularly, to consult 
on bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues of shared importance, 
and that ongoing cooperative efforts, begun under the direction of the 
Binational Commission, shall continue and be enhanced in the critical 
areas of agriculture; conservation, environment, and water; defense; 
health; housing; human resource development and education; justice and 
anti-crime; science and technology; sustainable energy; and trade and 
investment. We will establish a joint secretariat to direct and 
coordinate the consultations and to provide recommendations to both 
governments.
    We discussed the Millennium Africa Recovery Program (MAP) and agreed 
to work together for a prosperous, democratic Africa. We affirmed our 
support for the MAP's core goals of conflict resolution, good 
governance, sound economic management, and fighting HIV/AIDS and other 
infectious diseases.
    We affirmed that additional efforts to combat the devastating 
effects of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases are urgently needed, 
and we renewed our commitment to working together against them and the 
conditions that enable the diseases to proliferate. We agreed to support 
the establishment and funding of the global trust fund for HIV/AIDS and 
other diseases as a unique public-private partnership to bring needed 
resources to the battle against these diseases through a multi-sector, 
integrated strategy.
    We pledged to work together to support the launching of a new round 
of World Trade Organization negotiations and affirmed that we have many 
common interests, in particular the growth of agricultural trade and a 
shared commitment to working together to bridge the digital divide in 
Africa. Likewise, we confirmed our satisfaction that the African Growth 
and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has produced positive results in South 
Africa, and has already led to expanded trade and investment between the 
two countries.
    We affirmed our mutual desire for a peaceful, democratic, prosperous 
Zimbabwe, in which human rights and rule of law are respected. We agreed 
that a dialogue between the Government of Angola and UNITA rebels on 
implementing the Lusaka Protocol offers the best promise for peace. We 
affirmed our commitment to progress toward resolving the conflict in the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC) and agreed to cooperate on 
conflict resolution efforts throughout Africa.
    President Bush looks forward to the opportunity to visit South 
Africa as part of the effort to continue building and fostering the 
growth of our bilateral relationship and promoting our shared agenda.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.