His Excellency Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, will on the 24 to 26 May 2010 undertake an official visit to the Republic of Turkey at the invitation of His Excellency, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoan Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey.
Deputy President Motlanthe leads the South African delegation supported by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, Higher Education Minister Dr. Blade Nzimande, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu, International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Ebrahim Ebrahim and Tourism Deputy Minister Thokozile Xasa and a business delegation.
Both South Africa and Turkey share common platforms in key multilateral institutions including as members of the G20 and Executive Board of IAEA. Turkey is currently serving as a non permanent member of the United Nations Security Council the visit will also serve to advance common positions in these institutions including on climate change deliberations.
In 2005 Turkey took a decision to make cooperation with Africa one of its foreign policy priorities. In 2008 Turkey hosted the Africa-Turkey Summit and the Istanbul Declaration was adopted.
The visit of the Deputy will thus serve to revitalise bilateral relations between the two countries and give impetus to increased trade and commercial relations. The Turkish economy is the 17th largest in the world and is South Africa’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe.
Trade figures are as follows (R’000) :
South African exports
2004: 1,016
2005: 1,475
2006: 2,411
2007: 2,041
2008: 4,098
South African imports
2004: 1,266
2005: 2,004
2006: 3,273
2007: 4,914
2008: 6,462
Total trade:
2004: 2,282
2005: 3,479
2006: 5,684
2007: 6,955
2008: 10,560
The visit will also focus on the expansion and consolidation of political and economic relations; promotion of the government’s key priorities, the African agenda; discussion of multilateral issues including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) issues, the Middle East Peace Process, Climate Change and G20.
Media programme:
25 May: Ankara
10h30: Visit to the Atatürk Mausoleum and wreath laying ceremony (photo opportunity)
11h30: Lecture on Africa in celebration of Africa Day, University of Ankara (open to media)
16h00: Visit to the Turkish National Assembly (photo opportunity)
17h00: Official Welcoming Ceremony at the Turkish Grand National Assembly
(open to media and photo opportunity)
17h15 to 18h40: Official talks
18h40 to 18h50: Joint media briefing by HE Mr Kgalema Motlanthe Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa and His Excellency, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoan Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey.
26 May: Istanbul
10h00: Visit to the Hagia Sophia Museum (photo opportunity)
12h00 to 14h00: SA-Turkey Business Forum, Sheraton Maslak Hotel
The Deputy President will depart for Turkey on 23 May.
For comments contact:
Vusi Mona
Cell: 082 047 2260
For media enquires contact:
Zingaphi Jakuja
Cell: 082 766 3940
E-mail: zjakuja@po.gov.za
