Minister Dlamini Zuma to Host Her Swedish Counterpart Minister Anna Lindh, 5th - 7th May 2003

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will hold political consultations with her Swedish counterpart, Minister Anna Lindh in Pretoria on Tuesday, 6 May 2003.

Minister Lindh arrived in Pretoria today, Monday, 5th May 2003 accompanied by Jan O Karlsson, Sweden's Minister for International Development Co-operation, Asylum Policy and Migration.

The discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma and Minister Anna Lindh will include among others:
· preparations for the forthcoming South African-Swedish Binational Commission chaired at Deputy Presidential level to be held in Stockholm later this year
· dialogue between the European Union and Africa
· the Nordic/Africa relationship
· the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
· the African Union (AU), and
· peace and security efforts in Africa.

Following discussions with Minister Dlamini Zuma, Minister Lindh will meet with Deputy President Jacob Zuma at the Union buildings in Pretoria.

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

BACKGROUND
Diplomatic Relations

South Africa and Sweden enjoy excellent bilateral relations that include regular exchanges of visits by politicians and officials at the highest levels. One of the first state visits by the Head of State of a democratic South Africa took place in March 1999 when the then South African President, Mr Nelson Mandela, visited Sweden. The visit was an expression of South Africa's gratitude for the goodwill and support given by Sweden during the liberation struggle and since 1994.

Sweden's Prime Minister Goran Persson reciprocated by paying an official visit to South Africa in late 1999. The Prime Minister's visit coincided with the Sweden-South Africa Partnership Week, which highlighted Sweden to South Africa and co-operation opportunities through a series of business, sport, civil society and cultural events.

President Thabo Mbeki and Prime Minister Goran Persson inaugurated a Binational Commission (BNC) between the two countries on 4 September 2000. The aim of the BNC is a deepened, systematic bilateral dialogue in order to promote co-operation in a broad range of areas. At present the main focus of the BNC is on development co-operation based on partnership; conflict prevention and crisis management in Africa as well as trade and investment.

South Africa and Sweden share many values such as a commitment to democracy, human rights, respect for international law et cetera. This facilitates co-operation on multilateral issues between the two countries. Sweden shares South Africa's perspectives regarding multilateral reform, especially pertaining to the United Nations. The country is also supportive of our peace-making efforts in Africa.

Sweden played a prominent part in the process that led to the conclusion of the SA/EU Trade, Development Co-operation Agreement (TDCA). The Agreement has boosted bilateral trade between South Africa and the European Union due to a reduction in import duties and tariffs on South African goods. By ratifying the TDCA in July 2000, Sweden became the first EU Member State to make the Agreement effective.

TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Although total trade between the two countries has fluctuated, there is a steady upward trend. South African exports to Sweden since 1999 were as follows:

1999 US$ 27 million (ZAR 231 million)
2000 US$ 123 million (ZAR 1,05 billion)
2001 US$ 74 million (ZAR 629 million)

(2001 figures calculated at an exchange rate of ZAR 8,5 to 1 US$)

Over the same period, South African imports from Sweden amounted to:
1999 US$ 254 million (ZAR 2,16 billion)
2000 US$ 340 million (ZAR 2,89 billion)
2001 US$ 304 million (ZAR 2,59 billion)
(2001 figures calculated at an exchange rate of ZAR 8,5 to 1 US$)

Sweden has been a major source of inbound tourism in recent years. South African Tourism provided the following figures:
1997: 18 664
1998: 20 869
1999: 20 890
2000: 20 213
2001: 18 567
2002: 23 927

In addition, Sweden ranks amongst the top five donors operating in South Africa since 1994. Official development co-operation is channelled through the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA), which has a long history of involvement in South and Southern Africa through its assistance and support to the liberation movements. Over and above direct development co-operation, Sweden is also a major contributor to the development programmes of the European Union, UN agencies and other multilateral institutions in South Africa.