His Excellency Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe has arrived in Ankara in the Republic of Turkey to undertake a two day official visit at the invitation of His Excellency, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoðan Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey.
Deputy President Motlanthe leads the South African delegation supported by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Dr Lindiwe Sisulu, Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu, International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Ebrahim Ebrahim, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Thandi Tobias-Pokolo 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 International Atomic Energy Agency (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 objectives of the visit are to strengthen economic and commercial relations, to consolidate and enhance political relations and strengthen cooperation and partnership on education and skills development.
Expected on the agenda amongst others are discussions on programmes of cooperation for the implementation of priority agreements and decisions of previous bilateral mechanisms and commitment to strengthen partnerships on the African Agenda.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is expected to give a lecture at the University Of Ankara on Africa in celebration of Africa Day organised by African Ambassadors in Ankara and meet with Prime Minister Erdoðan before they convene the official bilateral talks. On the second day of the visit Deputy President will address the South Africa-Turkey Business Forum to be held in Istanbul.
For comments contact:
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E-mail: zjakuja@po.gov.za
Issued by: The Presidency
24 May 2010
