and economic discussions with his Hungarian counterparts
19 February 2006
Tshwane - South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will hold
bilateral political and economic discussions with his Hungarian counterpart,
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Andres Barsony, at the Union Buildings in
Tshwane on Monday, 20 February 2006.
Consultations between Deputy Minister Pahad and State Secretary Barsony come
within the context of South African objectives to strengthen relations with
countries of the North in order to consolidate the developmental agenda of the
South in general and Africa in particular. In addition, Hungary is a newly
admitted member of the European Union.
Issues on the agenda of discussion between Deputy Minister Pahad and State
Secretary Barsony are likely to include, among others:
* The status of bilateral political and economic relations between both
countries;
* Assessment of the United Nations Summit in 2005;
* Perceptions on the latest developments pertaining to the United Nations
reform process;
* The South African and European Union position on the recently held meeting of
the World Trade Organisation in Hong Kong;
* Relations between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU),
including the EU/AU dialogue on peacekeeping and conflict resolution and past
conflict resolution in Africa; and
* The position on the Middle East peach process and developments in the western
Balkans.
State Secretary Barsony will depart from South Africa for Namibia on
Tuesday, 21 February 2006.
Bilateral economic relations
The trade agreement between South Africa and Hungary was terminated in 2004
in view of the latter country's accession to the EU on 1 May 2004.
As from the date of its accession to the EU, Hungary applied the Trade
Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA) concluded between South Africa
and the EU in 1999.
Bilateral economic relations between South Africa and Hungary are good, with
Hungary being one of South Africa's most important trading partners in central
Europe.
Statistics:
2001
SA exports - US95.6 million
SA imports - US31.5m
2002
SA exports - US58.2m
SA imports - US61.7m
2003
SA exports - US51.7m
SA imports - US98.1m
2004
SA exports - US90.4m
SA imports - US133.5m
Media programme for consultations:
Press conference between Deputy Minister Pahad and State Secretary
Barsony.
Date: Monday, 20 February 2006
Time: 12h30pm (Media to arrive at noon. Please present press cards)
Venue: East Wing, Union Buildings, Government Avenue, Tshwane.
Contact: Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 990 4853
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
19 February 2006
Source: SAPA
