Pretoria: International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will, on Friday, 7 August 2009, host her United States of America (USA) counterpart Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Presidential Guest House in Pretoria for bilateral discussions. Secretary Clinton's visit, scheduled for 6 to 9 August 2009, will be the first such visit to South Africa since her appointment as Secretary of State in January 2009.
The discussions between Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and her USA counterpart will take place within the context of consolidating the already sound bilateral relationship between the two countries with a particular view of establishing high-level diplomatic contact between South Africa and the USA.
In this regard the discussions will amongst others focus on:
* establishment of a structured Bilateral Mechanism aimed at regulating existing bilateral, political and economic relations between the two countries
* new Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and the support for the Consolidation of the African Agenda
* collaboration in the fight against communicable diseases, including tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS
* strengthening educational, scientific and cultural co-operation.
South Africa's Trade relationship with the United State of America
The trade and investment relationship between the two countries has significantly increased resulting in total trade approaching almost R100 billion with SA enjoying a trade surplus of approximately R20 billion in 2008. In addition South Africa is one of the major beneficiaries under African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) ranking third after Nigeria and Angola, respectively, with South African exports to the US being the most diversified when compared to other Sub-Saharan African countries’ exports.
Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will also be hosting a dinner on 7 August 2009 within the context of Women's month, where Secretary Clinton will be the guest of honour. Of importance Secretary Clinton will pay special attention to the status of women and their role in good governance during this visit.
Secretary Clinton will pay a courtesy on Former President Nelson Mandela as well as visit US funded projects in and around Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town.
The visit is expected to conclude on Women's Day, Sunday, 9 August 2009.
Media programme:
Date: Thursday, 6 August 2009: Photo opportunity
(Pool arrangements to apply)
Venue: Protocol Lounge, Oliver Tambo International Airport
Time: 18h30: Arrival of media (Use Gate N1 North)
20h40: Arrival of Secretary Hillary Clinton at O R Tambo International Airport (ORTIA).
Contact: Nthabiseng Ramatshela
Cell: 082 675 0893
Sanjay Singh
Cell: 083 288 3385
Jacque Prinsloo
Cell: 082 387 2300
Thembela Ngculu
Cell: 082 387 5611
Friday, 7 August 2009
08:20: Arrival of Media for photo opportunity ahead of the meeting between Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Secretary Clinton.
08:50: Arrival of Secretary Hillary Clinton, to be received by Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
Photo opportunity
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Gate 9), Pretoria
09h00: Tête-à-tête between Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Secretary Hillary Clinton.
09h15: Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Secretary Hillary Clinton are conducted to the Meeting Room
Photo Opportunity
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Gate 9), Pretoria
Please RSVP:
E-mail: ramatshelaj@foreign.gov.za or ngculut@foreign.gov.za
(Please present press cards)
Contact:
Nthabiseng Ramatshela
Cell: 082 675 0893
Thembela Ngculu
Cell: 082 387 5611
10h10: Arrival of Media for Press Conference
10h30: Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Secretary Clinton are conducted to the Credentials Room for the Press Conference
10:40: Press Conference
18:30: Media is invited to a Dinner hosted by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane in honour of Secretary Clinton "Celebrating Women"
(Pool arrangements to apply)
Venue: Presidential Guesthouse, Bryntirion Estate, Church Street (Gate 9), Pretoria
Please RSVP:
E-mail: ramatshelaj@foreign.gov.za or ngculut@foreign.gov.za
(Please present press cards)
Contact:
Nthabiseng Ramatshela
Cell: 082 675 0893
Thembela Ngculu
Cell: 082 387 5611
No Media will be allowed without accreditation.
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Co-operation
4 August 2009
