South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ebrahim Ebrahim will on Monday 11 January 2010, at Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria, hold bilateral political and economic discussions with South Korean counterpart Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Shin Kak-Soo of the Republic of Korea.
The meeting comes within the context of South Africa’s commitment to consolidate bilateral political and economic relations with the countries in Asia in order to strengthen the conditions imperative for the achievement of the developmental agenda of the south.
Issues on the agenda of discussions are expected to include, among others:
* The status of bilateral political and economic relations, including the prospect for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between South Africa and the Republic of Korea
* Developments in the region Korean Peninsula and Southern African Development Community (SADC)
* Discussion on multilateral issues, including the agenda for the Group of Twenty (G20) meetings for 2010
* Other issues of mutual interest
* Setting the agenda for G20 Summit 2010, Seoul.
It is expected that the high level visit will be discussed, as President Jacob Zuma will be attending the G20 Summit in Seoul in November 2010. This multilateral organisation accounts for about 85 percent of global Gross Domestic Products (GDP), 80 percent of world trade (including European Union (EU) intra-trade) and two thirds of the world population.
The Korean vice Minister will also be meeting with Deputy Minister of Economic Development Gwendoline Mahlangu-Nkabinde to engage about FIFA, as South Korea has qualified to participate in the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Media programme
Media is invited as follows:
* 08h30: Media arrives ahead of the meeting between two Deputy Ministers
* 09h00: Arrival of vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Shin Kak-Soo, received by Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim
* Photo opportunity, Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria
For more information contact:
Saul Kgomotso Molobi
Cell: 082 940 1647
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
9 January 2010
