Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe today, 7 May 2012, arrived in Berlin, the Federal Republic of Germany on an official visit.
The Deputy President is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Ben Dikobe Martins and senior government officials.
Deputy President Motlanthe and the German Foreign Minister Guido Westervelle will co-chair the 7th South Africa/Germany Bi-national Commission on 8 May 2012. The meeting will assess progress since the last Bi-national Commission which was held in South Africa in 2010.
The South Africa and Germany Bi-national Commission was established to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the areas of economy, development cooperation, science and technology, environment and arts and culture. The 7th meeting will discuss new issues such as renewable energy and education and training.
The visit by Deputy President Motlanthe will further strengthen and consolidate the already existing political and economic relations between South Africa and Germany.
Deputy President Motlanthe will conclude in his visit to Germany on Wednesday 9 May by attending a meeting of the South Africa/Germany business in Munich.
The Deputy President is expected to depart Germany on Wednesday, 9 May 2012 and arrive in Finland on a working visit.
For more information, please contact:
Thabo Masebe
Cell: 082 410 8087
