Pretoria: Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe received United States Vice President Joseph Biden today, 12 June 2010, at his official residence Tambo House in Pretoria for bilateral discussions.
This was the first high level meeting after the April 2010 meeting between Presidents Zuma and Obama and the establishment of the United States-South Africa Strategic Dialogue by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton on 14 April 2010 in Washington.
The meeting focused on international challenges such climate change and Haiti while on bilateral level it focused on the development of the South African Government’s five priorities namely: education, health, rural development, job creation and crime. The alignment of these priorities underpins the South African Government’s engagement with the US.
The priorities identified by both South Africa and the US include good governance and democracy, respect for human rights, peace and stability as well as development through the creation of economic opportunities for all Africans. South Africa and the US are already working in partnership on a number of projects such as the fight against HIV and AIDS and especially other communicable diseases through President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
This partnership, strengthened by the United States - South Africa Strategic Dialogue and the Annual Bilateral Forum, will lay the foundation and assist South Africa in reaching its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Deputy President Motlanthe and Vice President Biden agreed that the Strategic Dialogue and high level visits created the ideal opportunities to share views and experiences.
In conclusion both parties expressed the wish that significant progress will be made in deepening bilateral relations with real progress before the next Ministerial meeting of the United States - South Africa Strategic Dialogue, scheduled for October 2010.
Issued by: The Presidency
12 June 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
