Italy and the Vatican
2 April 2007
South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will later today,
Monday, 2 April 2007, depart for Europe where she is scheduled to pay a
three-legged official visit from Tuesday to Monday, 3 to 9 April 2007, during
which she will visit Malta, Italy and the Vatican respectively.
Minister Dlamini Zuma will visit Malta, Italy and the Vatican within the
context of South Africa's priority to consolidate and strengthen relations with
Europe with a view to pushing back the frontiers of poverty and
underdevelopment in Africa.
Malta
During discussions with her Maltese counterpart Michael Frendo on Wednesday,
4 April 2007, Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to include:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries including areas of future co-operation between both countries
* developments within Europe and Africa
* other issues of mutual concern including the comprehensive reform of the
United Nations.
Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Frendo are expected to sign an Agreement on
Police Co-operation on conclusion of bilateral discussions.
Economic interaction is also very limited and there is room for improvement.
During 2006 South Africa's total exports to Malta was valued at R56 787 and
South Africa's total imports from Malta was valued at R37 621.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to depart from Malta on Thursday, 5 April
2007, ahead of her official visit to Italy.
Italy
Minister Dlamini Zuma will hold discussions with her Italian counterpart,
Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema on Thursday, 5 April 2007.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and
D'Alema are expected to include, amongst others:
* the status of bilateral political and relations between both
countries
* conflict resolution, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction in
Africa
* developments within Africa and Europe
* other issues of mutual interest including the Middle East, and the
comprehensive reform of the United Nations.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Trade statistics (all figures in EURO '000)
Year: 1994
South African Exports to Italy: 1,641,000
South African Imports from Italy: 692,000
Total Trade: 2,333,000
Year: 1995
South African Exports to Italy: 2,282,000
South African Imports from Italy: 955,000
Total Trade: 3,237,000
Year: 1996
South African Exports to Italy: 1,928,000
South African Imports from Italy: 956,000
Total Trade: 2,884,000
Year: 1997
South African Exports to Italy: 2,421,000
South African Imports from Italy: 1,006,000
Total Trade: 3,427,000
Year: 1998
South African Exports to Italy: 2,144,000
South African Imports from Italy: 929,000
Total Trade: 3,073,000
Year: 1999
South African Exports to Italy: 2,217,000
South African Imports from Italy: 831,000
Total Trade: 3,048,000
Year: 2000
South African Exports to Italy: 2,447,000
South African Imports from Italy: 979,000
Total Trade: 3,426,000
Year: 2001
South African Exports to Italy: 2,019,000
South African Imports from Italy: 1,061,000
Total Trade: 3,080,000
Year: 2002
South African Exports to Italy: 2,034,000
South African Imports from Italy: 1,007,000
Total Trade: 3,041,000
Year: 2003
South African Exports to Italy: 1,531,000
South African Imports from Italy: 964,000
Total Trade: 2,495,000
Year: 2004
South African Exports to Italy:
South African Imports from Italy:
Total Trade:
Year: 2005
South African Exports to Italy: 2,245,024
South African Imports from Italy: 1,155,832
Total Trade: 3,692,796
January to June 2006
South African Exports to Italy: 1,257,112
South African Imports from Italy: 899,720
Total Trade: 2,156,832
Source: Statistics South Africa
The Vatican
Minister Dlamini Zuma will hold discussions with the Archbishop Mamberti,
Secretary for Relations with States on Saturday, 7 April 2007.
Minister Dlamini Zuma and Archbishop Mamberti are likely to discuss greater
co-operation in multilateral fora including peacekeeping and conflict
resolution in Africa.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
2 April 2007
