1 April 2007
Pretoria: South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on
Monday, 2 April 2007, host her Burkinabe counterpart, Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Regional Co-operation, Mr Youssouf Ouedraogo for bilateral
political and economic discussions at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will host her Burkinabe counterpart within the context
of South Africa's commitment to strengthening and consolidating political and
economic relations with Burkina Faso.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and
Ouedraogo are expected in include among others:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries
* peace, security and conflict resolution in the west and southern African
regions. In this regard Burkina Faso is the current chair of the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and helped broker the Ivorian
Political Accord in Ouagadougou on 4 March 2007
* other issues of global importance to both countries including the
comprehensive reform of the United Nations (UN).
Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Ouedraogo are expected to sign an agreement on
the establishment of a joint commission of co-operation between South Africa
and Burkina Faso on conclusion of their discussions on Monday, 2 April
2007.
Minister Ouedraogo is expected to depart from South Africa on Tuesday, 3
April 2007.
Economic bilateral relations
Opportunities exist for South African mining companies in Burkina Faso to
mine deposits of gold, zinc and manganese and for trade of various agricultural
produce seeing that agriculture is the dominant industry in the country.
South African exports to Burkina Faso
Export values (MN)
2001: R26 million
2002: R21 million
2003: R32 million
2004: R46 million
2005: R63,7 million
2006: R109,8 million
Import values (MN)
2001: R2 million
2002: R1 million
2003: R3 million
2004: R3,5 million
2005: R42 000
2006: R753 000
Media programme for official visit to South Africa by Burkinabi Minister of
Foreign Affairs and regional co-operation Youssouf Ouedraogo
Monday, 2 April 2007
10h30: arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on commencement of
discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma and Burkinabi counterpart Minister
Ouedraogo
Venue: First floor, East wing, Union Buildings, Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
(Media to arrive through Government Avenue)
10h55: Minister Dlamini Zuma to commence discussions with Burkinabi
counterpart
Photo opportunity
12h30: arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by Ministers Dlamini
Zuma and Ouedraogo
Venue: Union Buildings Amphitheatre, Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
(Media to arrive through Government Avenue)
13h00: Signing of agreement on the establishment of a joint commission of
co-operation
Joint press conference
For further information contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
1 April 2007
