10 June 2007
Berlin â South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on
Sunday, 10 June 2007, depart from Germany for Bratislava, Slovakia where she is
scheduled to pay an official visit from Monday to Tuesday, 11 to 12 June 2007.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will be hosted by Foreign Minister Jan Kubis.
Minister Dlamini Zuma was in Heiligendamm, Germany where she provided
support to President Thabo Mbeki at the Group of Eight and India, Brazil, South
Africa, China and Mexico) G8 + 5 and G8 Africa outreach sessions of the annual
summit of the G8.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will visit Slovakia within the context of South
Africa's commitment to strengthen and consolidate bilateral political, economic
and trade relations with countries of Europe.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Foreign Ministers Jan Kubis and
Dlamini Zuma are expected to include among others:
* the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between both
countries
* a briefing by Minister Kubis on developments within the European Union
(EU)
* a briefing by Minister Dlamini Zuma on developments within Africa in general
and Southern African Development Community (SADC) in particular
* conflict resolution and peacekeeping in Africa
* the comprehensive reform of the United Nations (UN)
* other issues of mutual concern including the Middle East.
While in Slovakia, Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to pay a courtesy call
on President Ivan Gasparovic and Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is scheduled to return to South Africa on Thursday, 13
June 2007, ahead of the State visit to South Africa by President Joseph Kabila
of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Bilateral economic relations
Trade between South Africa and Slovakia has grown steadily over the
years.
The turnover from 2003 to 2006 was US$113,165 million. The percentage
increase in trade for the years mentioned rose by 358,7 from Slovakia. The
trade balance was US$72,653, in favour of Slovakia.
In the year 2005/06, Slovakia traded with a surplus of US$29,045 million
which illustrates the seriousness with which Slovakia is making inroads in the
South African trade competitiveness.
Imports from South Africa for the period 2006 amounted to US$22,309 million
and consisted mainly of the following commodities, edible fruit and nuts;
mineral fuel; mineral oils and products of their distillations; vehicles and
vehicle parts; iron and steel; salt; sulphur and plastering material; wool and
fine or coarse hair and electrical machinery.
The value of total trade between South Africa and Slovakia amounted to
US$92,909 million:
Trade between Slovakia and South Africa for the period 2003-06
Slovak exports to South Africa (R'000 000)
2003: 12,994
2004: 44,225
2005: 53,110
2006: 70,600
Slovak imports from South Africa (R'000 000)
2003: 7,262
2004: 10,221
2005: 10,754
2006: 22,309
Total (US$ 000):
2003: 20,256
2004: 54,446
2005: 63,864
2006: 92,909
For more information contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
10 June 2007
