for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair
22 May 2006
President Thabo Mbeki departs South Africa today, Monday 22 May 2006 for
London, United Kingdom ahead of his political and economic bilateral
discussions with his British counterpart Prime Minister Tony Blair scheduled
for Tuesday-Wednesday 23-24 May 2006.
Meanwhile, South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma flew
into London on Monday 22 May ahead of the SA-UK Bilateral Forum of both South
African and British Ministers, scheduled Tuesday-Wednesday 23-24 May and to be
co-chaired by Minister Dlamini Zuma and her British counterpart Foreign
Secretary Margaret Beckett.
The high-level South African visit to London comes within the context of
South Africa's stated to promoting North-South Dialogues whilst advancing the
African agenda and ensuring a faster and shared economic growth in South
Africa.
In this context, President Mbeki and Prime Minister Blair will discuss among
other issues, the consolidation of bilateral political and economic relations
between the two countries; conflict resolution in Africa; World Trade
Organisation (WTO) Doha Development round; United Nations reform and the Middle
East situation including Iran.
President Mbeki will also during the visit have an opportunity to interact
with British Captains of Industry as well as the African Diplomatic Corps based
in London.
The SA-UK Bilateral Forum of Minister Dlamini Zuma and Margaret Beckett on
the other hand will, convened under the theme: "The UK and SA-Building Together
on the 2005 Year of Africa" will focus on strengthening bilateral economic
relations; achievements of the millennium development goals whilst ensuring the
implementation of the commitments made in the report of the Commission for
Africa at Gleneagles in 2005.
A number of South African government departs are expected to attend the
Forum namely Foreign Affairs, Arts and Culture, Defence; Education,
Environmental Affairs, Home Affairs, Science and Technology as well as Trade
and Industry.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
22 May 2006
Source: SAPA
