bilateral discussions
25 February 2007
Pretoria: South African Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
will host her counterpart from Iceland, Foreign Minister Valgerdur
Sverrisdottir, for bilateral political and economic discussions in Pretoria on
Tuesday, 27 February 2007. Foreign Minister Sverrisdottir will be visiting
South Africa from Sunday until Wednesday, 25 to 28 February 2007.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will host Minister Sverrisdottir within the context of
South Africa's commitment to consolidate north-south relations with a view to a
faster and shared economic growth in South Africa. In this regard, Iceland has
decided to place greater emphasis on Africa in its foreign policy and in 2005
made South Africa the centre of its new, more active policy towards Africa.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Foreign Ministers Dlamini Zuma
and Sverrisdottir on Tuesday, 27 February 2007, are expected to include among
others:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations
* the status of Africa-Iceland relations, developments within the Africa-Nordic
forum and Iceland's support for the New Partnership for Africa's Development
(NEPAD) and the African Union (AU)
* conflict resolution and peacekeeping in Africa
* co-operation in the fields of fishing technology
* developments within the Southern African Customs Union-European Free Trade
Association Free Trade Agreement (SACU-EFTA FTA)
* increased Icelandic foreign direct investment (FDI) to South Africa
* reform of the United Nations (UN).
While in South Africa, Minister Sverrisdottir is expected to participate in
a seminar hosted by the Icelandic Trade Council, inaugurate the embassy of the
Republic of Ireland, address the South African Institute of International
Affairs (SAIIA), hold discussions with the Deputy Minister of Trade and
Industry, Cape Town Premier Ebrahim Rasool, Chairperson of the National Council
of Provinces (NCOP) Johannes Mahlangu and Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille.
Minister Sverrisdottir is expected to depart from South Africa on Wednesday,
28 February 2007.
Bilateral economic relations
Trade relations between South Africa and Iceland are limited and the trade
balance is in South Africa's favour. South African exports to Iceland during
2006 totalled nearly R150 million while R32 million was imported from
Iceland.
South African imports from Iceland
1997: R26 049 000
1998: R22 131 000
1999: R36 811 000
2000: R45 543 000
2001: R29 453 000
2002: R25 947 000
2003: R27 951 000
2004: R23 884 000
2005: R40 637 000
2006: R32 174 000
South African exports to Iceland
1997: R17 475 000
1998: R7 940 000
1999: R7 425 000
2000: R10 206 000
2001: R6 974 000
2002: R19 860 000
2003: R56 329 000
2004: R58 910 000
2005: R57 963 000
2006: R149 729 000
Top imports from Iceland (93,5%)
* products of the chemical or allied industries (34,8%)
* machinery and mechanical appliances (33,2%)
* optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision,
medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, clocks and watches, musical
instruments, parts and accessories thereof (13,1%)
* plastics and articles thereof, rubber and articles thereof (12,4%)
Top South African exports to Iceland (97,3%)
* mineral products (79,7%)
* vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport (11,8%)
* prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits, and vinegar (5,8%)
NEPAD and the AU
The Nordic States have traditionally been reliable partners in support of
Africa particularly during the period of struggle against colonialism, racism
and oppression. They along with Belgium and the Netherlands are amongst the
foremost donor States currently supporting development efforts on the
continent. In this regard the Nordic States provided financial support during
the development of the Millennium Partnership for the African Recovery
Programme (MAP), the merger process culminating in the new African initiative
and the setting up of the NEPAD Secretariat.
The greatest value of the Nordic States lies in the fact that they form part
of a coalition of like minded States concerning their policies towards South
Africa and NEPAD. They can therefore play an important role in keeping Africa
on the global agenda in acting as agents for progressive change and as
advocates to pressurise other stakeholders on issues of concern to the
continent. They can be engaged to support such issues as the need to reform the
international financial architecture; to reform the United Nations (UN) system
including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), to make it more
responsive to Africa's needs; to reform the global trading system in terms of
market access issues including agricultural subsidies and non-tariff barriers
and to reform the donor recipient relationship on the basis of mutual
accountability, etc.
The outcome of the two Nordic Summits (Skagen, Denmark in June 2000 and
Molde, Norway, in May 2002) was an important step at the time in developing
international consensus around the international development goals ahead of the
UN Millennium Summit and around the need to address Africa's particular needs
and challenges. The Skagen and Molde Declarations emphasised the strengthening
of ties between Nordic countries and South Africa, support for the African
renaissance; progress towards democracy and economic stability is reliant on
efforts by Africa and international community; the restructuring of AU;
expressed full support for NEPAD; the strengthening of mechanisms to help
prevent, manage and resolve violent conflict in Africa; expressed support for
President Mbeki's initiative for economic growth and sustainable development;
underlined the need to review the global economic system; increased investment;
enhanced market access; stronger economic growth; international efforts
including World Trade Organisation (WTO); the importance of the development of
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) relations; co-operation to curb
infectious diseases.
Media programme for visit to South Africa by Minister of Foreign Affairs and
external trade of Iceland Valgerdur Sverrisdottir
Monday, 26 February 2007
Gauteng
Contact:
Mikael Magnusson
Cell: 083 740 4758
10h30: Seminar and reception hosted by the Icelandic Trade Council
17h20: Minister Valgerdur Sverrisdottir to inaugurate embassy of the Republic
of Iceland
Venue: 1166 Park Street, Pretoria
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
Gauteng
Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
11h15: Arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on commencement of bilateral
discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Sverrisdottir
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
11h50: Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Sverrisdottir to commence bilateral
discussions
Photo opportunity
12h15: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by Ministers Dlamini
Zuma and Sverrisdottir on conclusion of bilateral discussions
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Enter through
Gate 9), Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
12h45: Joint press conference by Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Sverrisdottir
Wednesday, 28 February 2007
Cape Town
Contact:
Mikael Magnusson
Cell: 083 740 4758
08h00: Minister Sverrisdottir to hold discussions with Premier of the Western
Cape Ebrahim Rasool
10h00: Minister Sverrisdottir to hold discussions with Chairman of the National
Council of Provinces Johannes Mahlangu
12h00: Minister Sverrisdottir to hold discussions with Deputy Minister of Trade
and Industry
17h30: Seminar and reception hosted by the Icelandic Trade Council
18h00: Minister Sverrisdottir to hold discussions with Mayor of Cape Town Helen
Zille
For further information contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Mikael Magnusson
Cell: 083 740 4758
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
25 February 2007
