This should translate into tangible mutual bilateral programmes that will strengthen the relations between South Africa and the Republic of Congo," International relations said on Wednesday.

This high level meeting is the first session of the JCC since the signing of the General Cooperation Agreement instituting the Ministerial Commission on 25 November 2003 by former Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Congo date from 1993, with cooperation between the two countries formalised by the signing of the umbrella General Cooperation Agreement in 2003.

However, progress on agreed sectors of cooperation remains minimal, hence the decision to launch the inaugural session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation this year to speed up progress.

The Republic of Congo is one of sub-Saharan Africa's main oil producers, though majority of the population lives in poverty. The country has experienced civil wars and militia conflicts. - BuaNews