A Pahad to attend Nordic-Africa Ministerial Consultations, 12 – 14
Jan

10 January 2006

Tshwane – South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will today
Tuesday, 10 January 2006, depart for Cotonou, Benin, where he will attend the
fifth Nordic-Africa Ministerial consultations scheduled from Thursday to
Saturday, 12 - 14 January 2006.

Deputy Minister Pahad’s participation in the Nordic-Africa meeting comes
within the context of South Africa’s commitment to promote North-South
co-operation in support of the African Agenda.

In this regard, Nordic and African Foreign Ministers from Benin, Botswana,
Ghana, Mozambique, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania, Sweden, Finland, Norway,
Iceland, and Denmark are expected to deliberate on the following issues:

* The Peace and Security Organ in Africa and current challenges;
* The African Peer Review Mechanism;
* The Prevention of Conflicts in Africa;
* Democracy, Human Rights and Political Governance; and
* Children and Armed Conflicts in Africa.

Deputy Minister Pahad is expected to return to South Africa on Sunday, 15
January 2006.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
10 January 2006