The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ebrahim I Ebrahim is in Qatar ahead of the Fourth Bilateral Consultations scheduled for 14 to 15 April 2013. The visit to the State of Qatar will precede his official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran from 16 to 18 April 2013.
In Qatar, the Deputy Minister will lead the South African delegation to the Fourth Round of Bilateral Consultations. Bilateral consultations between the two countries are convened in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding which was signed in May 2002.
The visit will provide an opportunity to engage the Government of Qatar on developments in the region and to review the status of bilateral relations in the fields of trade and industry, energy, tourism and arts and culture, among others. It is also envisaged that discussions would be held on increased Qatari investment in South Africa and on possible trilateral cooperation in Africa.
Deputy Minister’s visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran will take place at the invitation of Dr Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs of Iran, who visited South Africa in May 2012.
One of the main objectives of the visit is to exchange views between the Governments on developments domestically and within our respective regions, to review the implementation of bilateral engagements and to assess the potential for the expansion thereof, particularly in the field of education and environmental affairs.
The visit will further afford the two Governments the opportunity to engage on the latest nuclear developments, and human rights fields, with a particular emphasis on exchanging South African best practices on human rights. Despite the challenging international situation confronting Iran, South Africa attaches significant importance to its bilateral relations with Iran.
For further information please contact:
Mr Clayson Monyela
Spokesperson for DIRCO
Cell: 082 884 5974
