Statement on the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Italy, Mr Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, 12-15 March 2002

On the invitation of President Mbeki, the President of the Republic of Italy, Mr Carlo Azeglio Ciampi will pay a state visit to South Africa from 12 to 15 March 2002.

President Ciampi will be accompanied to South Africa by the Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Alfredo Luigi Mantica.

President Mbeki attended the G8 summit in Genoa, Italy in July 2001 while President Ciampi is the first Italian Head of State to visit South Africa after the first democratic elections took place in 1994.

The Italian President will meet President Mbeki on Wednesday, 13 March at Tuynhuys to discuss international issues of mutual interest. It is expected that this meeting will concentrate on regional issues, poverty eradication and economic development. NEPAD, the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the establishment of the African Union in July 2002 will also feature prominently in their discussions.

President Mbeki will confer the Order of Good Hope, Class One, Gold on President Ciampi and President Ciampi will confer the highest Order of the Italian Republic, "Cavaliere di Gran Croce con Gran Cordone - Ordine al Merito della Republica" on President Mbeki.

President Mbeki will host a state banquet in President Ciampi's honour that evening.

Deputy President Zuma will also pay a courtesy call on President Ciampi during his stay in South Africa.
President Ciampi will meet with the presiding officials of the South African Parliament as well as the whips of both houses and will address a joint sitting of the South African Parliament on 14 March.

In Gauteng the Italian President will attend a ceremony at the Zonderwater Memorial Cemetery. He will also visit an Italian project at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, and meet the local Italian community before his departure.

Other events that are scheduled to take place during the State Visit are

· the signing of an agreement on cooperation in Arts, Culture, Education and Sport;
· a Science and Technology Seminar between South African and Italian scientists to be held in Cape Town;
· a South African/Italy Business seminar to be held on 15 March 200 at Sandton Convention Centre. An important Italian business delegation consisting of prominent CEOs of Italian companies such as Parmalat, Aeropoti di Roma, Alenia Spazio, the Circio del Monte Group, Agusta Westland, and the Chairperson of the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade will also accompany President Ciampi to South Africa.

Italy is considered a very important international partner both of the continent and of South Africa. Bilateral political and economic relations are on an excellent footing.

South African/Italian bilateral trade has shown a steady annual growth; exports to Italy amounted to R 7,5 billion in 2001 while imports amounted to R6 billion in 2001. Italy has consistently remained one of South Africa's top ten major trade, investment, cooperation and technology partners.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
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10 MARCH 2002