discussions with Finnish Minister of Trade and Development Co-operation
1 March 2009
Pretoria: South African Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe will on
Monday, 2 March 2009 hold bilateral discussions with the Minister of Trade and
Development Co-operation of Finland Dr Paavo Väyrynen at the Union Buildings in
Pretoria.
Deputy Minister van der Merwe participates in the meeting within the context
of South Africa's commitment to strengthening bilateral co-operation with
Finland in particular and the Nordic countries at large.
Issues on the agenda of the meeting include amongst others:
* South Africa-Finland strategic partnership
* the domestic political situation in both countries
* Zimbabwe
* the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
South Africa â Finland bilateral relations
South Africa and Finland share excellent bilateral relations. Finland has
provided South Africa with unequivocal support which manifested in its
assistance in various forms for the anti-apartheid struggle.
Finland also recognised the importance of the reconstruction and development
period in South Africa and, in relation to their economic means; their
contribution in this regard has been sizeable. They also supported South Africa
in multilateral fora, such as the European Union (EU) and the United Nation
(UN).
As a result of South Africa's growing regional and international stature,
internal stability and economic growth, Finland has been keen to explore ways
to expand the existing relationship.
On 8 June 2000 South Africa and Finland signed a Declaration of Intent to
facilitate bilateral consultations between Finland and South Africa on a
regular basis.
The declaration makes provision for meeting on senior officials' level
between the department and the Finnish Foreign Ministry every second year.
Meetings have taken place in November 2001; June 2003; April 2005 and June
2007. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in mid-2009.
The meetings have resulted in closer ties in a number of areas, especially
information technology.
Development Co-operation between South Africa and Finland
Existing Commitments and Disbursement Plan of bilateral and regional
co-operation for 2006-2011:
* Co-operation Framework on Innovation Systems between Finland and South
Africa (COFISA): Euro (EUR) 3 000 000 with Department of Science and
Technology,
* INSPIRE: EUR 4 077 000 with Department of Communication,
* South Africa Finland Information and Communication Technology Knowledge
Partnership (SAFIPA): EUR 3 000 000 with Department of Science and
Technology,
* Finnish-Southern African partnership (BIOFISA) (regional): EUR 3 000 000 with
Department of Science and Technology,
* Southern African Development Community (SADC) Open Distance Learning (ODL)
(regional): EUR 3000 000 with SADC, and
* A regional Science Park Programme being explored with Department of Science
and Technology (DST).
Media programme
Monday, 2 March 2009
10h50: Arrival of media for photo opportunity ahead of commencement of
meeting between Deputy Minister van der Merwe and Minister Väyrynen
Venue: Union Buildings, Room 230, Pretoria
Please present press cards
11h20: Photo opportunity
11h30: Arrival of media for a joint press conference and signing of
agreements between Deputy Minister van der Merwe and Minister Väyrynen
Venue: Union Buildings, Room 230, Pretoria
Please present press cards
Contact:
Thembela Ngculu
Cell: 082 387 5611
12h00: Joint press conference and signing of agreements between Deputy
Minister Sue van der Merwe and Minister Väyrynen
Contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
1 March 2009
