PRETORIA, Feb 16 — The Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Lechesa Tsenoli, is to host the Minister for Local Government in the State of Palestine, Saed AlKoni next week.

AlKoni and his delegation of senior officials will be in South Africa on Feb 16-22.

This visit is part of the strengthening of relations between Palestine and South Africa, after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the respective ministries in July 2013.

The MOU provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of local governance and municipal development and is currently being implemented.

The MoU provides for cooperation in various fields including the legal framework of local governance; municipal finances and intergovernmental fiscal relations; urban and strategic development planning and the amalgamation and restructuring of local government units.

The cooperation is based on the needs, interests and potential of both parties, and to set the foundation for launching an exchange and cooperation programme between Palestine and South Africa.

During the visit, AlKoni will continue to take forward the partnerships already forged, including the signing of further MOUs between South African organisations and their Palestinian counterparts.

Source: SA NEWS