Africa-Argentina Joint Binational Commission (BNC)
26 February 2007
Pretoria: South African Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
will co-chair together with her Argentine counterpart Minister of Foreign
Affairs, International Trade and Worship Jorge Taiana, the inaugural session of
the South Africa-Argentina Joint Binational Commission at the Presidential
Guesthouse in Pretoria scheduled from Tuesday and Wednesday, 27 and 28 February
2007.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will inaugurate the BNC between South Africa and
Argentina within the context of South Africa's commitment to strengthen and
consolidate south-south relations with a view to pushing back the frontiers of
poverty and underdevelopment for the peoples of South Africa and Argentina.
The BNC agreement with Argentina was signed in September 2005 by Minister
Dlamini Zuma and her then Argentine counterpart, Minister Rafael Bielsa, during
a bilateral meeting held on the margins of the September 2005 United Nations
(UN) General Assembly session in New York.
This first session of the BNC is expected to, among others, discuss:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries including new areas of co-operation
* developments regarding the African Union (AU) and the African developmental
agenda
* views on and put South Africa's position on UN reform, reform of the
international financial architecture including the World Trade Organisation
(WTO) and south-south co-operation
* regional developments in Africa and Latin America
* the status of South Africa (SA) - MERCOSUL relations
* recent developments on current issues such as the Middle East.
Economic bilateral relations
Argentina, regards South Africa as a strategic market within the context of
its export driven economic recovery strategy.
A preferential trade agreement between Mercosur (consisting of Argentine,
Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and more recently, Venezuela) and South Africa,
Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland (SACU) was signed at the end of 2004 and
it is hoped that its implementation will contribute to the expansion of trade
relations between the two regions. Negotiations are as yet not completed.
In 2005 South Africa's exports to Argentina reached R498 531 000 in 2005, as
against imports of R2 302 583 000 in imports from that country.
Exports comprise bituminous coal (briquettes), chemical products, newsprint
paper, chromium ores and concentrates, synthetic rubber, polyester yarn, tools
for pressing, stamping and punching, craft paper and paperboard, flat rolled
products of stainless steel; imports consist of soya bean products (Soya bean
oil cakes and solid residues), wheat and muslin, prepared foodstuffs, sunflower
seed and oils, motor vehicles for the transport of goods, automotive
components, live animals and animal products.
Representatives for the following departments and bodies are expected to
participate in the BNC:
* agriculture
* Civil Aviation Authority
* defence
* environmental affairs and tourism
* minerals and energy
* South African Airways (SAA)
* South African National Parks (SANParks)
* South African Revenue Services (SARS)
* science and technology
* sport and recreation
* trade and industry
* transport
Programme for first session OF South Africa-Argentina Joint Binational
Commission
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
10h00 - Arrival of media for photo opportunity and introductory remarks on
commencement of opening plenary of inaugural South Africa-Argentina Joint
Binational Commission
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria
10h30: Opening remarks by Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Jorge
Taiana
Media in attendance for introductory remarks
Photo opportunity
(Please present press cards)
Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Wednesday, 28 February 2007
10h00: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by Ministers Dlamini
Zuma and Jorge Taiana on conclusion of inaugural South Africa-Argentina Joint
Binational Commission
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria
10h45: Joint press conference
(Please present press cards)
For further information contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
26 February 2007
