inauguration of Chilean President Dr Michelle Bachelet
9 March 2006
Lisbon - South African President Thabo Mbeki, accompanied by Mrs Zanele
Mbeki, will depart Portugal later today, Thursday 9 March 2006 for Chile where
he will lead a South African government delegation to the inauguration of
Chile's first female President Dr Michelle Bachelet scheduled for Saturday, 11
March 2006, in Santiago, Chile.
President Thabo Mbeki's participation in the inauguration of
President-designate Michelle Bachelet comes within South Africa's priority of
strengthening and consolidating relations with countries of the North with a
view to ensuring a faster and shared economic growth while consolidating
Africa's political and economic agenda.
In this regard, Chile is expected to achieve all the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) by 2015. According to the Human Development Index 2005, Chile is
"a country that has converted high growth into rapid human development." In
addition, Chile should eradicate extreme poverty, which is 4,7%, by 2007. The
poverty rate is down to 18,8%.
President Thabo Mbeki in January 2006 congratulated President Bachelet on
her election as the president-designate of Chile saying, "Your election will
without doubt strengthen Chile's progressive example for the global community,
especially on issues of democracy, gender and women's rights, poverty
alleviation and support for a rules-based and more equitable multilateral
system."
"The principled stance Chile has taken thus far in the ongoing attempts to
restructure global governance in order to respond more effectively to the
challenges of the 21st Century, is also of prime importance to Africa and
indeed the world at large, and we look forward to continuing our co-operation
with you and your administration in that sphere."
While in Chile, President Mbeki is also expected to engage in bilateral
discussions with other key players in the region.
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
9 March 2006
Source: SAPA
