Second Review of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-national Commission
23 February 2009
South African Deputy President, Ms Baleka Mbete, has today, Monday, 23
February 2009 arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, to co-chair the Second Review Council
meeting of the South AfricaâNigeria Bi-national Commission (BNC) with her
Nigerian counterpart, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Deputy President is accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Ms Sue van der Merwe and other senior government officials, who have
been participating in various sectors of the commission.
The Second Review Council Meeting will take place on Tuesday, 24 February
2009, and this meeting follows a meeting of senior officials held on 22 to 23
February 2009, which focused on:
* the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between
the two countries
* strengthening of the structures of the BNC
* activities for the commemoration of the 10 year anniversary of the BNC
* political, socio-economic and continental and regional developments
* issues of global interest.
Nigeria is considered as one of South Africa's most important partners on
the African continent.
The visit of the Deputy President will further enhance strong bilateral
relations that already exist between the two countries.
During her working visit to Nigeria, Deputy President Mbete will pay a
courtesy visit to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His
Excellency Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
Deputy President Mbete is scheduled to return to South Africa on 25 February
2009.
For more information please contact:
Denzil Taylor
Cell: 082 561 3772
Issued by: The Presidency
23 February 2009
