After a
successful closing of the 9th Bi-National Commission of South Africa and
Nigeria meeting in Pretoria, South Africa, both countries have agreed on
issuing 10-year visas to business owners, academics and frequent travelers, Channels TV reports.
According to Guardian, the
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu,
revealed that the agreement was reached in a meeting co-chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari and President Cyril Ramaphosa of
South Africa, which was the first time both presidents will preside since the
Bi-National Commission was elevated.
The decision was taken to
encourage more people-to-people contacts among citizens of both countries and
further strengthen socio-cultural, economic and political relations.
At the meeting held at the
Union Buildings, Presidential Palace of South Africa, the two presidents agreed
on early warning signals to nip violence in the bud before it escalates, while
taking into consideration the need to share more intelligence and promote
stronger partnership in security.
Both countries also agreed
to re-establish the consular forum, which is a structured arrangement where
both governments meet regularly, at least twice in a year, to discuss welfare
of citizens.
Nigerian Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and South African Minister
of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, signed the minutes of the 9th
session of Bi-National Commission.
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