LUSAKA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Zambia and South Africa on Monday held bilateral talks aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries.

Zambia's Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji and his South African counterpart Lindiwe Sisulu held the talks in Pretoria, South Africa where various issues were raised, according to a statement from the Zambian embassy in South Africa.

Among the issues discussed is preparations for the holding of the Bi-National Commission meeting which is expected to be held in the first quarter of this year, according to the statement.

The two countries signed the Joint Bi-National Commission in August last year whose mandate includes pushing for more trade between the two countries.

The Bi-National Commission, which is chaired by leaders of the two countries, is expected to help promote inter-trade, balance of trade, export and import of goods, discuss immigration issues as well as propose other issues such as enforcement of legal judgments between the two countries.

According to the statement, the two ministers also discussed regional matters such as recently held elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Madagascar, the attempted coup attempt in Gabon as well as the peace process in Lesotho.

Zambia is the current chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation.