President Jacob Zuma today, 26 September 2010, departs for Belgium to attend the third South Africa-European Union Summit to take place on 28 September followed by an Official visit to Belgium on 29 September 2010.
The president's visit takes place within the context of strengthening relations with strategic formations of the north as well as deepening and broadening the current bilateral relations between South Africa and the Kingdom of Belgium.
President Zuma is accompanied by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Basic Education, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, Defence, Home Affairs as well as Water and Environmental Affairs.
Belgium remains among South Africa's top ten trading partners and is the eighth fastest growing export destination. The European Union is the number one destination for South African exports and Belgian ports remain an important entry point for South African exports to countries both within and outside of the European Union.
The main export products from South Africa to Belgium include rough diamonds, iron, fresh fruit, bituminous coal, ores, and manganese dioxide.
Value-added exports primarily include automotive components, catalytic converters, as well as transport containers, road wheels and parts and accessories thereof.
Accordingly, the objectives of the visit will include:
- the consolidation and enhancement of political relations (bilateral and multilateral)
- the strengthening of economic and commercial relations
- the strengthening of development cooperation and partnership in support of education and skills development and
- trilateral cooperation to promote peace and stability of the African continent.
The main items on 28 September 2010 include the following:
- Courtesy call by Secretary-General of the ACP Group
- the president will receive the Secretary General of the ACP Group, Dr Mohamed Chambas. It is expected that the President will reaffirm the common ground between South Africa and the ACP Group.
- Gala Dinner hosted by the South African embassy and South African business in Belgium.
- Belgium and South Africa enjoy growing trade relations and the president will strengthen this relationship by addressing a gala dinner hosted by South African business entities based in Belgium. This occasion will afford him the opportunity to interact with a select group of Belgian business people to enhance and encourage economic cooperation between the two countries.
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- On the following day, 29 September 2010, some of the main items of the Official Visit will include:
- A tête-á-tête with His Majesty King Albert II where President Zuma will pay a courtesy call on the King of Belgium His Excellency Albert II. The main objective will be to strengthen and enhance the bilateral relations.
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- Bilateral meeting between President Zuma and Prime Minister Leterme.
- The president will engage the Belgian Prime Minister on Belgium's continued support for initiatives geared towards promoting peace and stability on the African continent, especially in the Great Lakes region.
- The interaction will also be used to strengthen development cooperation and partnership in support of South Africa's national priorities, especially education and skills development. It is expected that a Visa Waiver Agreement between South Africa and the Benelux countries will be signed by the principals.
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- Brief meetings with ministers-president of the regions.
- The president will also receive the ministers-president of the regional governments.
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For more information, please contact:
Saul Kgomotso Molobi
Cell: 082 940 1647
Tel: +27 12 351 0083
E-mail: molobisk@dirco.gov.za
Zizi Kodwa
Cell: +27 82 330 4910
Source: The Presidency
