Minister Sergey Martynov
24 August 2006
Pretoria - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will
host her Belarussian counterpart Foreign Minister Sergey Martynov for bilateral
political and economic discussions at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria
on Monday, 28 August 2006.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will host Minister Martynov within the context of
South Africaâs priority to promote bilateral political, economic and trade
relations with countries of the world with a view to ensuring a faster and
shared economic growth in South Africa.
Issues of the agenda of discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and
Martynov on Monday, 28 August 2006 are expected to include, among others:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between the two
countries
* a brief by Minister Dlamini Zuma regarding developments in the region,
including the outcomes of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Summit
* democracy building, good governance, peacekeeping and conflict resolution in
Africa including post-election Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte dâIvoire,
Sudan, and Burundi
* developments in eastern Europe
* the Middle East conflict and
* other issues of global interest including United Nations Security Council
reform.
While in South Africa, Minister Martynov is also expected to hold
discussions with Ministers Mandisi Mpahlwa, Dr Pallo Jordan and Mosioua
Lekota.
It is also expected that the following agreements will be signed during the
visit to South Africa by Minister Martynov:
* establishment of a committee on trade and economic co-operation (Trade and
Industry)
* waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports
(Home Affairs)
* co-operation in the fields of arts and culture (Arts and Culture) and
* agreement on military and technical co-operation (Defence).
Minister Martynov is expected to depart from South Africa on Wednesday, 30
August 2006.
Economic bilateral relations
Trade between South Africa and Belarus (all figures in ZAR)
South African Exports
2004: R3 437 000
2003: R2 232 00
2002: R1 398 000
2001: R1 191 000
2000: R129 000
1999: R96 000
1998: R256 000
South African Imports
2004: R20 251 000
2003: R2 681 000
2002: R6 035 000
2001: R2 292 000
2000: R1 869 000
1999: R12 000
1998: R2 600 000
Total trade turnover 2004: R-23,68 million.
Total trade turnover 1st quarter 2005: R-3,41 million.
South Africa imports potassium fertilisers, refrigerators, flax fabrics,
truck and tractor spare parts, while it exports diamonds, veneer sheets,
organic chemicals, vehicle spare parts and capital goods.
Belarus is interested in investigating the opportunities for joint venture,
the exchange of technologies and the exploration of new competitive
markets.
Media programme for official visit to South Africa by Foreign Minister of
Belarus, Sergey Martynov
Date: Monday, 28 August 2006
11h30: Minister Dlamini Zuma to hold bilateral political and economic
discussions with Minister Martynov
11h30: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by Ministers Dlamini
Zuma and Sergey Martynov on conclusion of discussions
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
12h00: Joint press conference
14h30: Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa to hold discussions with Minister
Martynov
17h00: Minister Martynov to meet with South African business community
Venue: University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg
Contact: Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Date: Tuesday, 29 August 2006
12h30: Minister Martynov to hold discussions with Minister Pallo Jordan
Date: Wednesday, 30 August 2006
10h00: Minister Martynov to hold discussions with Minister Mosiuoa Lekota
For further information contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
24 August 2006
