President
24 May 2007
Hanoi: South African President Thabo Mbeki will today Thursday, 24 May 2007
hold bilateral political, economic and trade discussions with his Vietnamese
counterpart President Minh Triet in Hanoi on the first day of his two day State
Visit to Vietnam scheduled from Thursday to Friday, 24 to 25 May 2007.
President Mbeki will be supported by Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,
Buyelwa Sonjica and Naledi Pandor and Deputy Ministers Mluleki George and Rob
Davies.
President Mbeki's visit comes within the context of South Africa's
commitment to strengthening political, economic and trade relations with
Vietnam within the broad framework of consolidating South-South relations.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Presidents Mbeki and Triet are
expected to include, among others:
* the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries
* the support of Vietnam for the Accelerated and Shared Growth Inititaive for
South Africa (AsgiSA) and the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition
(JIPSA) in terms of skills development and the sharing of best practice
* a briefing on developments in Africa with regard to post-conflict
reconstruction in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, Sudan, Darfur,
Somalia and Cote d'Ivoire
* developments in the Middle East including the Iranian nuclear conflict, Iraq
and the Middle East Peace process
* a briefing on developments in Asia including Myanmar, East Timor and North
Korea
* the consolidation of South-South co-operation through and within such fora as
the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the New Asia Africa Strategic Partnership
(NAASP) and other multilateral organisations
* global challenges including South Africa's mandate as the Non-Permanent
Member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Presidents Mbeki and Triet will on conclusion of their bilateral discussions
sign agreements on Co-operation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the
Waiver of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Official
passports.
President Mbeki will also today Thursday, 24 May 2007:
* hold discussions with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and General Vo Nguyen
Giap
* lay a wreath at President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and the National Monument
of Heroes and Martyrs
* visit the Temple of Literature.
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
24 May 2007
