"We ... need to redouble our efforts to fast track our trade and economic relations to the top of our two countries' bilateral relations.
"We will need to seriously consider in our meeting here a concrete and costed plan of action with deliverables, as this will give body and soul to the work of our BNC," said Deputy President Baleka Mbete.
The visit by the Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, the Deputy President said, will not only strengthen the BNC, but will accelerate the implementation of agreements for the benefit of the people.
She said people needed to benefit, especially traders, business people, professionals and tourists.
"A partnership like this one we have been building with our BNC over almost a decade can only be sustainable when it is anchored on the shoulders of our people," said Mbete.
The deputy president said the meeting was not about to moan over the past but to strengthen ties in completing a long journey which began nearly 10 years ago when the BNC was established in 1999.
In order to be true to the challenge, Deputy President Mbete said, it was important that the two countries reflected the seventh session of the BNC which was held in Abuja earlier this year, as well as the progress made during the last session of the Special Implementation Committee, which took place in Pretoria last month.
During the meeting with Nigerian Vice President Jonathan, the two countries have identified a need for the BNC permanent secretariat and agreed on reviewing council structure.
Mbete said through these brief meetings, South Africa and Nigeria would be able to play a more meaningful role and be accountable to its citizens.
Nigerian Vice President Jonathan said they were happy with the meeting as it was not just an ordinary meeting, but a gathering which brought about economic gains and positive developments for people of South Africa and Nigeria.
"We have so far achieved significant strides during the past nine years and I strongly believe that by next year (in March), we will be able to come up with a report of what we have been doing for the past decade," said Jonathan.
Among the achievements gained by the BNC includes the signing of the Agreement on Tourism and Co-operation, which is seen as a step that will emulate other sectors of the BNC.
Progress has particularly been made on consular and immigration matters and the two countries have committed themselves to finalising an agreement in this area.
Deputy President Mbete said this was a necessary first step towards an Africa in which the geographic borders were not a constraint on people's movement, business and trade.
On civil aviation, the recent negotiations on the liberalisation of air service would see an increase in frequencies and the opening up of new routes between Nigeria and South Africa, said Nigerian Vice President Jonathan.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
