Abidjan, 31 March 2009...The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, YJ Choi, on Tuesday received the Director of the Africa Department of the South African Foreign Ministry, Andrew Maswanganye.

At the end of his discussions with the head of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) at the mission's headquarters, Mr. Maswanganye indicated that his visit was aimed at familiarising himself with the Ouagadougou political Agreement (OPA) and having an idea of the vision of all parties on the peace process so as to ensure that he has a correct opinion on this issue.

However, Mr Maswanganye said, through its embassy in Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa had been following the movement towards the resolution of the Ivorian crisis, ever since it started, and his presence in Abidjan did not change its opinion, much less its policy on relations with Côte d'Ivoire».

He recalled that South Africa kept a benevolent eye on the Ivorian crisis and noted that much progress had been registered in the implementation of the OPA, signed two years ago. « Things are moving ahead and I think that, very soon, we will be able to welcome the fact that Côte d'Ivoire is at peace, » said Mr Maswanganye, adding that his country remained willing to pursue its relations with a country that has returned to stability.