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President Thabo Mbeki to Visit Nigeria
and Botswana
Republic of Nigeria
President Thabo Mbeki who concludes his interaction
with members of the International Investment Council
in Cape Town today, Saturday - 8th March 2003 - will
depart from South Africa on Sunday, 9th March 2003 to
attend the NEPAD Heads of State Implementation Committee
Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria.
President Mbeki will be accompanied by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
The Abuja meeting will discuss the NEPAD Peer Review
Mechanism with particular reference to its objectives,
standards, criteria and performance indicators, receive
reports of the NEPAD Steering Committee, the implementation
of the NEPAD infrastructure and the review of the development
effectiveness between Africa and its partners.
The following countries will be represented at the
meeting: South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Algeria,
Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, Mauritius, Rwanda,
Ethiopia, Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.
Republic of Botswana
Following the Abuja meeting, President Mbeki will pay
a State Visit to the Republic of Botswana from Tuesday,
11th - Thursday, 13th March 2003.
The Presidential delegation will include the Ministers
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Thoko Didiza, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang,
Jeff Radebe, Mosiuoa Lekota and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The visit will cement the excellent bilateral relations
both countries with specific emphasis on the political
and economic spheres of co-operation.
During the visit, President Mbeki is expected to hold
bilateral discussions with his Botswana counterpart,
President Festus Mogae to discuss among others the African
Union, NEPAD, the restructuring of SADC and bilateral/regional
issues of mutual concern.
It is expected that an Agreement on the Establishment
of a Joint Permanent Commission for Co-operation (JPCC)
proposed by the respective South African and Botswana
foreign ministers in October 2000 may be signed during
this visit.
During his visit President Mbeki will also address
the Botswana Parliament; hold discussions with former
President, Sir Ketumile Masire regarding the progress
in the Inter-Congolese Dialogue; the business community;
and visit the most modern diamond mine in Africa in
Orapa.
For further information contact
· Nomfanelo Kota 082 377 7208
· Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853
· Bheki Khumalo 083 256 9133
· David Hlabane 082 561 9428
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
8 March 2003
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