¡¡JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- South African President ThaboMbeki Friday called for cooperation among the 14 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, including Zimbabwe.

    Writing in the ruling African National Congress party's online publication, ANC Today, he said, Southern African countries have no choice but to cooperate to solve their common problems.

    The president noted that it was critically important for the countries of southern Africa to cooperate in a meaningful manner, recognizing that none could achieve sustained development outside the context of regional and African cooperation and integration.

    "In any case, the SADC member states face the same problems concerning the reality and impact of poverty and underdevelopment in our individual countries," he added.

    He pointed that their countries are bound to one another by many ties. "This means that the objective situation in our region dictates that we have no choice but to co-operate to solve our common problems."

    Referring to the "protracted controversies" that had engulfed Zimbabwe over the past few years and the potential strength of theZimbabwe economy, Mbeki said Zimbabwe was a vital and integral part of the region.

    A stable and prosperous Zimbabwe was critical to the integration of the SADC region and its rapid rejuvenation.

    He expressed his belief: "It can and must play a central role in the struggle to achieve the goals spelt out in the SADC Treaty." Enditem