the conclusion of his State visit to Italy
22 March 2006
South African President Thabo Mbeki and his wife supported by Ministers Dr
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Mandisi Mpahlwa will pay a one-day working visit to
Algeria on Thursday, 23 March, following the conclusion of the State visit to
Italy on the same day.
President Mbeki led a South African government delegation including
Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Mandisi Mpahlwa, Mosibudi Mangena,
Director-General of Foreign Affairs Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba, Titus Mafolo, political
and legal advisors of the President and Advocate Mojanku Gumbi
respectively.
The visit was aimed at consolidating bilateral political and economic
relations between South Africa and Italy, within the priority of strengthening
relations with countries of the north to ensure a faster and shared economic
growth while consolidating the African agenda.
During the State visit President Mbeki met with his Italian counterpart
President Carlo Ciampi, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Union Opposition
Coalition leader Romano Prodi and Mrs Veltroni before visiting Capitoline
Museum, Julius Caesar Hall and laying a wreath at the Tomb of the âunknown
soldier.â
President Mbeki also had an opportunity to interact and address a business
forum comprising South African and Italian Business Executives, wherein a
memorandum of understanding was signed between Business Unity South Africa and
Confindustria (BUSAC).
President Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Friday, 24 March
2006.
Contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
22 March 2006
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
