SA-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission
9 March 2006
South African Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Aziz Pahad, departs South
Africa today, 9 March 2006, for Saudi Arabia where he will join the South
African government delegation led by Minister of Trade and Industry Mandisi
Mpahlwa to the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission scheduled for Riyadh
on 11 to 12 March 2006.
The Joint Commission meeting takes place within the context of consolidating
bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Saudi
Arabia with a view to enhancing South African efforts aimed at a faster and
shared economic growth through Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for
South Africa (Asgisa) while simultaneously seeking to consolidate the African
agenda.
In this regard, Minister Mpahlwa will co chair the Joint Commission with his
Saudi counterpart focusing on economic issues while Deputy Minister Pahad will
co chair with his counterpart political aspects of the Commission.
Within this framework, Deputy Minister Pahad is expected to discuss with his
counterpart issues around the Middle East situation and developments in Iraq
and Iran. Deputy Minister Pahad returns to South Africa on Monday, 13 March
2006.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
9 March 2006
Source: SAPA
