appointment as the United Kingdom's (UK's) new Prime Minister
27 June 2007
President Mbeki wishes to convey his warmest congratulations to Mr Gordon
Brown on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and wishes him
well in his future endeavours.
Relations between the two countries have traditionally been sound but have
intensified significantly over the years since the Labour Party came into power
in 1997.
The UK is a trusted and valued partner of South Africa and has played a
constructive role in helping South Africa to take up its rightful role in the
international community, after years of isolation. The strategic partnership
and co-operation between the UK and SA are reflected in the strong and growing
relations across various sectors as diverse as defence, education, science and
technology and development co-operation.
The UK is one of South Africa's key economic partners globally. Bilateral
trade relations have shown a strong upward trend over the years and there is a
continued increase of investment in both directions. The UK remains the largest
single foreign investor in South Africa. The UK has made a valuable
contribution towards South Africa's endeavours to create sustainable economic
growth, combat poverty and to create a better life for all South Africa's
people.
Regarding the Africa Agenda, South Africa is convinced that Prime Minister
Brown will build on the UK's existing constructive engagement in Africa not
only on a bilateral level but also in a multilateral context inter alia the
European Union (EU) and the G8.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
27 June 2007
