The International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim I. Ebrahim on a Two Day Working Visit to the Republic of Serbia scheduled for 4 and 5 July 2011
The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim I. Ebrahim has undertaken a working visit to the Republic of Serbia from 4 to 5 July 2011. The objectives of the visit as set by DIRCO are to strengthen bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Serbia; facilitate conclusion of outstanding priority agreements between the two countries; facilitate cooperation on education and skills development; facilitate cooperation on multilateral issues of common interest such as the reform of the global governance system; and to exchange views on the African Agenda and South-South cooperation.
The draft agreements between the two countries that are under consideration include the following:
- Protocol on Political Consultations between the Foreign Ministries
- Waiver of Visa requirements of Diplomatic and Official passports
- Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Law Enforcement Cooperation.
The Deputy Minister is scheduled to meet with several high level delegations in Serbia, and these include the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia and Minister of the Interior, Mr Ivica Dacic; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Vuk Jeremic; Minister of Education and Science, Mr Zarko Obradovic; and the State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ivan Mrkic.
South Africa and Serbia share similar values on many international issues and have supported each other’s candidatures for non-permanent seats at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Before the Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Vuk Jeremic, visited South Africa in August 2010, several Serbia’s Ministers visited South Africa since 2005 (Mr Jeremic also attended the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma in May 2009). These included the Minister of Economic Affairs, Mr Predrag Bubalo; and the Minister of the Diaspora, Mr Vojislav Vukcevic.
The Deputy Minister’s working visit to Serbia is significant since no South African ministerial visits have taken place as of July 2007 to date.
The Deputy Minister is accompanied by DIRCO’s Ambassador Rapulane Molekane, Deputy Director-General: Europe; Ambassador Sophonia Makgetla, South Africa’s Ambassador to Greece and non-residential Ambassador to Serbia; and other senior government officials.
The Minister and his delegation are expected to depart the Republic of Serbia for South Africa tomorrow afternoon, 5 July 2011.
For further information please contact Mr. Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, on 082 884 5974.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
Private Bag x152
Pretoria
0001
4 July 2011
|
