Germany
7 July 2006
South African President Thabo Mbeki accompanied by Mrs Zanele Mbeki is
expected later today, Friday, 7 July 2006, in Berlin Germany ahead of the
unveiling of the 2010 World Cup logo and his bilateral political and economic
discussions with German President Horst Koehler and German Chancellor Angela
Merkel.
President Mbeki's delegation includes Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,
Makhenkesi Stofile, Jeff Radebe, Sydney Mufamadi, Essop Pahad, Deputy Minister
Jabu Moleketi, Directors General Frank Chikane and Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba as well
as members of the 2010 local organising committee. In this regard President
Mbeki is expected to be joined by United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Koffi
Annan, Professor Alpha Konare, Chairperson of the African Union (AU)
Commission, Sepp Blatter President of Federation International Football
Association (FIFA) and Issa Hayatou FIFA Vice President and CAF President at a
ceremony in Tempodrom, Berlin to unveil the 2010 World Cup logo.
The unveiling of the 2010 logo will be followed by a question and answer
session which will be moderated by Franz Beckenbauer and Klaus Wolwereit and
will feature President Mbeki, Koffi Anna, Alpha Konare, Sepp Blatter, Issa
Hayatou, Irvin Khoza and Danny Jordaan.
The evening will usher President and Mrs Mbeki at the FIFA World Cup concert
"football for a better world from Germany to South Africa" in which messages of
support will be received from President Mbeki, Koffi Annan, Sepp Blatter and
Franz Beckenbauer.
On Saturday, 8 July 2006, President Mbeki supported by Minister of Foreign
Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will hold bilateral political and economic
discussions with President Horst Koehler and attend a working lunch hosted by
Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Issues to be discussed include amongst other:
* Africa Partnership Initiative
* German Presidency of the Group of Eight (G-8) in 2007 including the European
Union (EU) Presidency
* Review of bilateral political and economic relations
* Iran
* Middle East, Palestine/Israel
* Doha developmental round
* Forth coming G-8 Summit in Russia
* And regional developments.
On Sunday, 9 July 2006, President Mbeki and his delegation is expected to
witness the signing of the FIFA/EU co-operation agreement, hold discussions
with the President of the EU Commission Mr Barosso and Sepp Blatter FIFA
President respectively before witnessing the Soccer World Cup Final at the
Olympia stadium.
President Mbeki's visit to Germany comes within the context of South
Africa's priority to consolidate bilateral political and economic relations
with countries of the north with the view of expediting the African
developmental agenda whilst simultaneously building partnerships to make the
2010 world cup a truly African event.
In this context South Africa stands ready to host the nations and peoples of
the world in 2010 on behalf of the peoples of the South Africa in particular
and the peoples of Africa in general.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
7 July 2006
Source: SAPA
