Pretoria — President Jacob Zuma on Friday concluded his state visit to Lesotho by signing several agreements with the landlocked country.

During his two-day visit an agreement on a Grant from the African Renaissance Fund for the Implementation of the Advance Infrastructure Component of the Metolong Dam and Water Supply Programme was signed.

Other agreements included a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Economic Cooperation and a MoU concerning cooperation in the Legal Field and a Declaration of Intent on Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

Eight cabinet ministers as well as the Speaker of the national assembly and senior government officials accompanied the President on his trip which included talks with Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili.

Zuma also addressed the Joint Sitting of Parliament as well as launched dialogue between Lesotho and African business people.

The leaders in underscoring the need to enhance and strengthen the existing cooperation in political, economic, social, good governance and security sectors between the two countries recommitted themselves to a stronger and special relationship as well as to a vibrant Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation.

Discussions focused on issues that touch the lives of ordinary people like the Facilitation of Free Movement of People and Goods along the common borders; Cooperation in the fields of tourism, transport and water sectors; implementation of all the Bilateral Agreements; as well as other issues that form the Agenda of the Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation between the two countries.

In a joint communiqu,, the Prime Minister assured President Zuma of Lesotho's unwavering support for South Africa's candidature for the Non-Permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the 2011/12 term.

Lesotho also thanked South Africa for its support during the attacks that were made at the Makoanyane Military Base, the State House and against some residents of Maseru City, in April, 2009.

SA was commended for the role it plays in peace keeping operations particularly for providing troops in the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

The Prime Minister also congratulated South Africa for hosting a successful FIFA World Cup in June and July. President Zuma also extended an invitation, which was accepted, to Lesotho King Letsie III to visit South Africa.