Minister Dlamini Zuma Together With Her Brazilian Counterpart, Minister Celso Amorim to Co-Chair the SA - Brazil Joint Commission, 7 May 2003

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, together with her Brazilian counterpart, Dr Celso Amorim will co-chair the second meeting of the SA-Brazil Joint Commission in Pretoria on Wednesday, 7th May 2003.

Political discussions between both the two foreign ministers will focus on NEPAD, the AU, regional developments (both African and Latin American), and South Africa's relations with MERCOSUR.

Developments in the multilateral sphere, ranging from developments regarding the Non-Aligned Movement, the World Trade Organisation, the reform of the United Nations Organisation and of international financial architecture as well as the combating of international terrorism will be discussed, as will recent developments in Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process.

In addition, developments in our bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade, defence, transport, health, social services, minerals and energy, and tourism since the first Joint Commission meeting will be reviewed. A number of new fields of co-operation with Brazil will also be explored.

For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
6 May 2003

BACKGROUND

The SA-Brazil Joint Commission Agreement was signed by Presidents Mbeki and Cardoso during a state visit to Brazil in 2000. The inaugural meeting was held in Brasilia in August last year. The Agreement provides for two levels of engagement: political discussions between the Principals (ie the respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs); and "focal point" discussions at officials level, on mutual co-operation in various fields. Discussions are thus both political and technical.

The first step to establish a Joint Commission between the two countries was taken during the visit of President Mbeki to Brazil in September 1997 when the establishment of an "institutional mechanism" to deepen South African/Brazilian relations across the board was suggested.

The "Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Establish a Joint Commission" was signed during the State Visit on 13 December 2000 at an official ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Brasilia. The conclusion of this Agreement underwrites the strategic relationship between South Africa and Brazil. It inter alia provides for a Joint Commission to be established to facilitate bilateral cooperation on key issues of mutual concern to be co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa and the Minister of External Affairs and Foreign trade of Brazil.

The Commission shall normally function at the level of Principals, but may be at Presidential level if agreed by mutual consent. The Principals shall ensure the participation of Ministers/senior officials from designated and/or relevant departments, ministries and or institutions in their countries' teams referred to as "Focal Points". The Commission shall strive to meet annually, alternately in South Africa and Brazil.

BRAZIL: COUNTRY PROFILE
Name of Country : Federative Republic of Brazil
Head of State : President Luis Inacio "Lula" da Silva
Foreign Minister : Dr Celso Amorim

STATISTICAL PROFILE
Area : 8 511 996,3 sq km (fifth largest country in the world after Russia, Canada, China and the USA)
Population : 170 million (the sixth largest in the world -2000)
Capital : Brasilia
Language : Portuguese
Religion : Predominantly Christian (89 % Roman Catholic)
Time : GMT - 4 hours
Currency : Real (plural = Reais).
Economy : Brazil is the ninth largest economy in the world with the seventh largest manufacturing base.
GDP : US$ 491billion (2001)
Growth : 1.8% (2001)
Per Capita GDP : US$2920
Inflation : 7.13 (2001)
Unemployment : 7,6% in the major six (6) metropolitan areas: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Brasilia and Curitiba.
Foreign debt : US$ 260 million 2001 (54% of GDP)
Internal debt : U$369 billion (December 1998)
Foreign reserves : US$ 37 billion (2001)
Total Exports : US$ 58 billion (2001)
Total Imports : US$ 55 billion (2001)
Imports from SA (R) : 2000 R1.373 bn
1. R2.323bn
2. R1.841bn
Exports to SA (R) : 2000 R2.053 bn;
1. R3.347bn;
2. R4.918bn
* Source: Central Bank of Brazil and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE)