International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe has today, 5 October 2009, arrived in Belgium on a tri-nation visit to European countries namely, Belgium, Lithuania and Latvia.
Belgium:
Deputy Minister van der Merwe undertakes the visit to Belgium within the context of consolidating bilateral relations between South Africa and Belgium. In addition the visit takes place within the context of consolidating relations between South Africa and the European Union (EU) and to deepen north-south dialogue. Accordingly, Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe will hold a meeting with the Belgian Federal Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr Charles Michel. In addition, Deputy Minister van der Merwe will have a series of meetings with the EU senior officials which will focus, among other things, on:
* Southern African Customs Union (SACU) European Union relations
* Forthcoming Climate Summit to be held in Copenhagen
* South African Partnership Development Agency (SAPDA)
Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe’s visit follows the successful second South Africa-EU Summit held in Cape Town on 12 September 2009 whose primary objectives was also to further deepen SA-EU relations and to address issues of mutual interest and concern between South Africa and the European Union.
Lithuania:
Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe will on 7 October 2009 depart Brussels for Lithuania to hold political consultations with her Lithuanian counterpart from 8 to 9 October 2009.
The political consultations between Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe take place within the context of strengthening bilateral relations, consolidating current trade and economic cooperation and deepening multilateral cooperation between South Africa African and Lithuania. In addition the visit is aimed at mapping out a well defined cooperative framework between the two countries.
Four draft Bilateral Agreements between South Africa and Lithuania are presently under consideration, which is yet another indication of a potential for more meaningful future cooperation. Accordingly it is anticipated that the signing of bilateral agreements in the near future will take relations between South Africa and Lithuania to a higher level.
Bilateral relations between South Africa and Lithuania have developed steadily since diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1991.
Trade figures for 2007:
* Trade statistics between South Africa and Lithuania 2007
* Exports from South Africa (SA) to Lithuania: R56,902 million
* Imports from Lithuania to SA: R74,000 million
* South African Trade Balance: R17,098 million
Latvia:
Upon conclusion of her visit to Lithuania Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe will proceed to Latvia on a visit from 11 to 12 October 2009 to, among other engagements, hold a meeting with State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Andries Teikmanis.
Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe’s visit takes place within the context of consolidating bilateral relations and promoting bilateral economic relations with an emphasis on greater direct trade between South Africa and Latvia.
As an EU member state, Latvia becomes an important partner in the realisation of the elements of the Trade and Development Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) Equally Latvia views South Africa as an important strategic partner. In view of Latvia’s accession to the EU in May 2004 TDCA concluded between South Africa and EU in 1999 became a major tool in all fields including the economy.
In this regard very high level visits been the two countries have taken place in the recent past including a South Africa is by far Latvia’s major trading partner in Africa. A number of bilateral agreements between the two countries remain under consideration and include:
* agreement on the waiver of visas for diplomatic and official passports holders
* agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion with regard to taxes on income
* bilateral agreement on scientific and technological cooperation.
Recent figures show that there is a significant increase in the trade volume between South Africa and Latvia although tilted to Latvia’s favour:
2006
South Africa exports to Latvia: 19,872,000
South Africa imports: 14,104,000
Total trade: 33,976,000
2007
South Africa exports to Latvia: 19,599,000
South Africa imports: 457,098,000
Total trade: 476,697,000
2008
South Africa exports to Latvia: 29,419,661
South Africa imports: 83,024.485
Total trade: 112,444,146
2009
South Africa exports to Latvia: 15,097,660
South Africa imports: 16,368,548
Total trade: 31,466,208
Deputy Minister is also expected to pay courtesy calls on the President of the Republic of Latvia, His Excellency Dr Valdis Zatlers, Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Mr Maris Riekstins and the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Latvian Parliament.
Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe is expected to return to South Africa on 13 October 2009.
For more information contact:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
5 October 2009.
Source: Department of International Relations and Cooperation (http://www.dfa.gov.za/)
