with Burundi at Franco-Africa Summit
14 February 2007
Cannes (France): South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,
who is representing President Thabo Mbeki at the two-day Africa-France Heads of
State and Government Summit in the French coastal city of Cannes, has on
Wednesday, 14 February 2007 signed a General Co-operation Agreement with her
Burundian counterpart, Ms Antoinette Batumubwira, Minister of External
Co-operation and International Relations.
Addressing the media after the signing, Minister Dlamini Zuma said: "This
important agreement has the potential to unlock possibilities for both
countries in the area of nation-building, economic development and in further
strengthening our already good relations. A General Co-operation Agreement by
its very nature paves the way for other sectors of both countries to work
together."
The Burundian Minister Batumubwira in response expressed similar sentiments
and said: "We count on South Africa as a dependable friend in helping us deal
with challenges of development, following their immense contribution in
resolving the conflict in our country."
Minister Dlamini Zuma is leading the South African delegation to this Summit
within the context of South Africa's priority to promote the developmental
agenda of the South through the consolidation of North-South relations.
The Summit will be held under the banner, "Africa and Global Stability", and
intends to highlight the need to include Africa in global issues as well as its
current dynamism, its successes and its projects for the future.
The overall theme will be divided into three sub-themes, which will be the
focus of discussions in three workshops, namely:
* raw materials in Africa
* Africa's position and influence in the World
* Africa and the Information Society.
Discussions are expected to focus on:
* how Africa responds to the exploitation of its raw materials
* the position of the continent in international organisations
* the position in South-South Dialogue
* how does the rest of the world perceive Africa
* what image of themselves would Africans like to project
* how can we do away with the most common cliches?
Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Sunday, 18
February 2007.
Contact:
Vincent Hlongwane
Cell: (+27) 82 385 1169 (Cannes)
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
14 February 2007
