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President Thabo Mbeki arrives in Belgium
ahead of Official Visit, Monday, 15 - Thursday, 18 November
2004
President Thabo Mbeki arrived in Belgium on Monday
15 November ahead of the scheduled official visit to
Belgium, Strasbourg and the Netherlands from, today,
Monday, 15 - Thursday, 18 November 2004.
President Mbeki is accompanied by Mrs Zanele Mbeki,
Ministers Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Mosibudi Mangena,
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Mandisi Mpahlwa and Mosiuoa
Lekota respectively and Deputy Minister Jabu Moleketi.
President Mbeki's visit to the EU comes in the wake
of the enlargement of the Union from 15 to 25 members
on 1 May 2004; the concurrent finalisation of the SA-EU
Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA)
which had been provisionally implemented since 1 January
2000; the election of a new European Parliament; and
the taking office of a new European Commission on 1
November 2004.
In this regard, issues on the agenda are expected to
include, among others:
- Support for the consolidation of the African agenda
through the operationalisation of the African Union
and implementation of NEPAD;
- EU support in conflict prevention, resolution, management
and post-conflict reconstruction in Africa;
- The continued support of the EU for the TDCA that
promotes an open, equitable, rule-based and non-discriminatory
multilateral trading;
- Developments within various other multilateral institutions
on which relations between South Africa and the EU
are anchored, viz. the Berlin Process (SADC-EU relations),
the Cairo Process (Africa-EU relations) and the Cotonou
Agreement (Africa/Carribean and Pacific Group of States
[ACP]-EU relations)
- Review of progress in the implementation of the
Millenium Development Goals, the World Summit on Sustainable
Development and the World Conference against Racism;
and
- The Middle East Peace Process since the EU is a
member of the Quartet and developments within Palestine.
Belgium (Monday, 15 - Wednesday, 17 November 2004)
In Belgium, President Mbeki will hold discussions with
the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel
Barroso on Monday, 15 November 2004 in Brussels, Belgium.
On Tuesday, 16 November 2004, President Mbeki will
meet with King Albert II; Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt;
Javier Solana, the High Representative of the EU's Commission
on Foreign and Security Policy; and members of the Senate
and House of Representatives at the Belgium Parliament.
During the visit to Belgium, President Mbeki will meet
also meet with representatives of the African Diaspora
and African Ambassadors and captains of trade and industry
based in Brussels, and attend a Gala Dinner hosted by
the Diamond High Council in Antwerp.
In addition, President Mbeki will receive courtesy
calls from Minister-Presidents of the Flemish and Walloon
Regions and the German-speaking community, Yves Leterme,
Jean Claude van Cauwenberghe, and KH Lambertz respectively.
During the visit, a Joint Declaration by the President
of South Africa and the Prime Minister of Belgium; a
Declaration of Intent between South Africa and Belgium
to establish a Joint Commission; a Statement of Intent
between South Africa and the Flemish Government on Co-operation
in the field on Gemmology and Ministerial Benefication;
and a Declaration of Intent between South Africa and
the Flemish Government to enhance co-operation in the
Field of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise will be
signed.
Strasbourg (Wednesday, 17 November 2004)
On departure from Belgium on Wednesday, 17 November
2004, President Mbeki will travel to Strasbourg where
he will hold discussions with President of the European
Parliament, Borrell Fontelles and address a sitting
of the European Parliament.
The Hague, Netherlands (Wednesday, 17 - Thursday,
18 November 2004)
On arrival in the Netherlands on Wednesday, 17 November
2004, President Mbeki will hold bilateral discussions
with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, following
which President and Mrs Mbeki will meet with Queen Beatrix
on Thursday, 18 November 2004.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
15 November 2004
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