The South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, is scheduled to host the United States Secretary of State, Ms Hillary Clinton, for the second meeting of the South Africa-United States Strategic Dialogue on 7 August 2012.
It is expected that the meeting will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.
Bilateral relations between South Africa and the United States are strong. The current US administration has expressed an interest in partnering with SA both domestically and regionally.
High-level visits and interactions, such as visits by Vice President Joe Biden to South Africa in 2010 and the reciprocal visit by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe in 2011 to the USA, highlight the close relations between the two countries.
The US continues to support SA’s domestic priorities and has sought to align its assistance programmes and projects with South Africa’s national priorities.
The US is currently the third largest trading partner for SA, as well as a significant investor. AGOA (the African Growth and Opportunity Act) due, for renewal in 2015, provides many South African exports with duty-free access to the USA and has favourably contributed to a trade surplus with the USA.
The media programme is as follows:
Date: 7 August 2012
10h00: Arrival of Secretary Clinton at OR Tambo Building (photo opportunity for still cameras only)
11h45-12h45: Business Forum Lunch (media access for opening remarks)
13h45-14h30: Walk through Business Forum exhibition (video and still cameras only)
13h30 for 14h30: Joint Press Conference, Multipurpose Room, OR Tambo Building
NB: Media should please present their press cards and ID/passport when collecting accreditation cards. The venue for accreditation is the Guest House within the premises of OR Tambo Building. The accreditation centre will be open from 08h00 on 7 August 2012.
General enquiries:
Mr Nelson Kgwete
Cell: 076 431 3078
For further information, please contact:
Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO
Cell: 082 884 5974
