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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Aziz Pahad Departs from Sweden to Turkey, Sunday, 12th
October 2003
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad will
today - Sunday, 12th October 2003 - depart for Sweden
ahead of Deputy President Zuma for Turkey.
In Sweden, the Deputy President had co-chaired together
with his counterpart, Margareta Winberg, the third session
of the SA-Sweden Binational Commission in Stockholm
from Wednesday, 8th to Friday, 10th October 2003.
In bilateral discussions between Deputy President Zuma
and Deputy Prime Minister Winberg various important
topics were raised and discussed. Among these was the
importance of further intensified efforts for peacekeeping
and conflict resolution, not least in Africa. Deputy
Prime Minister Winberg congratulated South Africa on
its successful facilitation of the Burundi peace process.
A joint committee will be established to intensify our
co-operation in the areas of conflict resolution and
prevention.
It was agreed that Sweden and South Africa would continue
to explore co-operation and dialogue on the matter of
HIV and AIDS. The Deputy Prime Minister also raised
the concern regarding the continued political and socio-economic
deterioration in Zimbabwe. The Deputy President explained
Africa´s position on the matter and initiatives
underway.
Lastly, there was an agreement to try to jointly explore
measures to move forward in the WTO negotiations. Prior
to departure from Stockholm, the Deputy President and
the delegation visited the DeLaval/TetraPak establishment
which illustrated the way in which technology could
e used to enhance diary farming. Following very detailed
explanatins and illustrations the Deputy President agreed
that this was definitely an area for co-operation between
both countries especially through public-private partnerships.
Turkey
In Turkey, the Deputy President will lead the South
African delegation in the first such high levelofficial
visit to the country and will be accompanied by the
Minister of Public Enterprises, Jeff Radebe, Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad, Deputy Minister
of Minerals and Energy, Susan Shabangu and Deputy Minister
of Trade and Industry, Lindiwe Hendricks.
During this visit, Deputy President Zuma will have
bilateral consultations with his counterpart, Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during which discussions
are expected to focus on:
· The expansion and consolidation of bilateral
political and economic relations;
· The operationalisation of the African Union
and the implementation of NEPAD;
· Multilateral issues including post war Iraq,
the escalation of conditions in the Middle East, reform
of the United Nations, and the global fight against
international terrorism. In this regard it will be important
to ascertain the position of Turkey on these issues
of global importance since Turkey is geo-strategically
located in the region and is a key player in many matters
including the war against Iraq.
In addition to strategic political relations, there
exists significant potential for bilateral economic
co-operation between both countries.
The Turkish economy is the 18th largest in the world
and our largest trading partner in the region. Prior
to the 2002 economic crisis it was the 16th largest.
The economy is open and Turkey has already entered into
Free Trade Agreements with 15 countries.
The Government is in the process of successfully implementing
an IMF backed economic stability programme. The economy
grew by 7,5% during 2002 and a growth rate of 4% to
5% is expected for 2003. During 2002 the inflation rate
decreased from 80% to 30% and the target for 2003 is
20%. Turkish exports increased by 30% during 2002.
South African imports to Turkey consist mainly of automotive
spare parts; woven pile and chenille fabrics; woven
textiles of synthetic fibres; sanitary paper articles;
small electrical home appliances; hazelnuts and motorcar
tyres. Foreign Direct Investment from Turkey into South
Africa amounts to US$ 60 million
Trade figures between both countries are as follows:
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 (USD Millions)
Turkish Imports: 132 256 278 488 400 685 345 207
Turkish Exports: 67 65 71 73 59 70 78 85
Total Trade: 199 321 349 561 459 755 423 292
Presently six Turkish companies, several of them household
names in this country, have set up plants in South Africa:
Zorlu - Kortex, Cankurtaran - Conti, Sumo Colliery SA,
Sesli, Uludag Blankets, Ahlesa Textiles. There are over
50 registered Turkish companies trading or providing
services in the tourism and restaurant sectors in South
Africa.
South African companies resident in Turkey are: Macsteel
in Istanbul; Grinaker Construction and Steinmueller
Africa are involved in civil engineering projects. Companies
with buying agents in Turkey are: Conlog; Mossop Western
Leathers; Harvey Roofing; Breathetex; Samancor; Sappi;
Sasol; Hulett Aluminium; Trident Midrand Steel; G. Mondiano
SA; Aquazure Hatcheries; BEC/Disavascular Medical; Karoo
Livestock Exports.
The following Agreements will be signed during the
visit of the Deputy President:
i. Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement;
ii. Agreement on Co-operation in the fields of Education,
Arts and Culture, Science and Technology, Sport, Recreation
and Youth Affairs; and
iii. Agreement on Police Co-operation.
While in Turkey, the Deputy President will also lay
a wreath at the Atatürk Mausoleum, pay a courtesy
call on President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and interact with
a business delegation consisting of both South African
and Turkish representatives.
For further information contact:
· Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
· Nomfanelo Kota on 082 377 7208
· Lakela Kaunda on 082 782 2575
· Zanele Mngadi on 082 781 9332
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
12 October 2003
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