Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Concludes Visit to Brazil (3rd South Africa Joint Bi-National Commission Ahead of a Visit to Ghana, West Africa) 31st October 2004

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma concluded a visit to Brazilia where she co-chaired the 3rd Joint Binational Commission ahead of a visit scheduled on the same day of arrival, 1st November 2004. Whilst in Brasilia, Minister Dlamini Zuma led a senior South African government officials delegation from Foreign Affairs, Minerals and Energy, Environmental Affairs, Health, Agriculture, Transport and Defence. Brazil is South Africa´s biggest trading partner in Latin America.Whilst in Brazil, Minister Dlamini Zuma paid a courtesy call to President Lula, da Silva.

On arrival in Brasilia, Minister Dlamini Zuma was received by the African Ambassadors Diplomatic Corps based in Brasilia accompanied by Amb. Lindiwe Zulu, South Africa´s representative in Brasilia.

During the Joint Binational Commission, Minister Dlamini Zuma and her counterpart, Minister Celso Amorim held political and economic bilateral discussions. In this context the two ministers briefed each other on:

* Regional developments with regards to the Southern African Development Community(SADC) and MERCOSUR
* The operationalisation of the African Union and its institutions including the Pan African Parliament.
*The reform of the multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, the UN Security Council and Global Financial institutions.
*The situation in the Middle East
*The situation in Haiti
*Developments within the India - Brazil - South Africa trilateral dialogue and the
*Fight against global terrorism


The Joint Binational Commission reviewed progress around areas of engagement between the two countries in the fields of trade, defence, transport, health, arts and culture, social welfare, minerals and energy, tourism and further political co-operation aandagreed to continue with co-operation in those areas.

At the conclusion of the Joint Binational Commission, Minister Dlamini Zuma attended the Heads of Mission Conference of the Americas which took place in Brasilia, Brazil. Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected in South Africa on the 1st November, 2004 where she will proceed to Ghana for a visit that is aimed at strengthening our relations.

For more information, contact Nomfanelo Kota at + 27 82 459 3787
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag x 152
Pretoria
0001

31st October 2004