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Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Karel De Gucht to Pay Working Visit to South Africa,
Pretoria, Sunday, 17 - Monday, 18 October 2004
Pretoria - Belgian Foreign Minister, Karel de Gucht
will pay a working visit to South Africa from Sunday,
17 - Monday, 18 October 2004 during which he will brief
the Deputy President on the situation in the Great Lakes
Region and pay a courtesy call on President Thabo Mbeki.
Minister de Gucht is expected to brief Deputy President
Zuma on matters relating to the transitional arrangements
in the Democratic Republic of Congo and examine the
current initiatives aimed at fostering necessary conditions
for successful post-transitional elections in the Congo.
Views will also exchanged on possible areas of cooperation
between South Africa and Belgium to enhance the success
of the DRC elections scheduled for June 2005 and the
impending elections in Burundi.
The Great Lakes Region remains a priority for the recently
re-elected government of Belgium. Belgium's involvement
however, dates back to its former colonial days and
it is pursuing a policy of active engagement in Africa
with the focus on the peace process in the Great Lakes
Region.
Belgium views South Africa as a strategic partner in
the Great Lakes Region and has provided significant
political and financial support for the peacekeeping
operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
and Burundi.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
17 October 2004
Programme for the Working Visit to South Africa by
the Foreign Minister of Belgium, Karel De Gucht, Pretoria,
South Africa, Sunday, 17 - Monday, 18 October 2004
Monday, 18 October 2004
13h00 Arrival of participating media for photo opportunity
on commencement of courtesy call on President Mbeki
by Minister Karel de Gucht
Venue : Luthuli House
54 Sauer Street
Johannesburg
Contact : Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
Speed Steyn on 082 572 7304
14h00 Minister de Gucht to pay courtesy call on President
Mbeki
Photo opportunity on commencement of meeting
For further information contact Manusha Pillai on
082 389 3587
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
17 October 2004
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