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Deputy President Jacob Zuma concludes
Visit to Central Europe, 16 September 2004
Deputy President Jacob Zuma today, 16 September 2004,
concluded his official visit to Poland and Romania aimed
at boosting economic and political relations.
The visit began in Warsaw, Poland (13-14 September)
and ended in Bucharest, Romania today, 16 September.
Accompanying the Deputy President were the Minister
of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, the
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad, the
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Lindiwe Hendricks
and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs,
Advocate Dirk du Toit.
The Deputy President regards the visit as having been
a success, and is of the view that it has laid a solid
foundation for stronger relations between South Africa
and the two European countries. The visit indicated
a convergence of ideas on many issues, which augurs
well for the deepening of the relations between South
Africa and the two countries.
Many areas of further co-operation were identified
in the two countries. With regard to Poland, its accession
to the European Union and its support for the EU co-operation
with Africa gives South Africa and Africa an ally in
the quest for a more equitable world order and in support
for sustainable development in Africa. Its strong economy
provides opportunities for increased bilateral trade
as well as possible incoming investments. Trade with
Poland accounts for over US$120 million worth of goods
and services.
In Romania, both the South African and Romanian sides
undertook to add more dynamism to economic co-operation,
and to co-operate more in projects such as information
technology, communications, tourism, agriculture and
others.
During his visit to Romania Deputy President Zuma held
bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Adrian Nastase
and paid a courtesy call on President Ion Iliescu. He
also met with the President of the Chamber of Deputies
Mr Valer Dorneanu and the President of the Senate Mr
Nicolae Vacaroiu.
Issues on the agenda included, among others:
- Bilateral political and economic relations;
- Operationalisation of the African Union and its
institutions including the Pan-African Parliament
which will be officially inaugurated in its permanent
home on 16 September 2004, the Peace and Security
Council, the African Court of Justice;
- The implementation of NEPAD as the socio-economic
programme of the African Continent;
- Attempts by the African leadership to create the
conditions for peace, security and stability on the
African continent, viz the situation in Burundi, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Ivory Coast,
and others;
- Economic and political integration in the European
Union following its enlargement;
- The Middle East Peace Process and developments in
Iraq following the handover of sovereignty to a transitional
Iraqi government;
- The global fight against terrorism; and
- The reform of the global exercise of governance,
viz, the United Nations and all its institutions including
the Security Council, the International Monetary Fund.
Bilateral Trade and Industry and Science and Technology
Agreements were signed, aimed at creating the legislative
framework within which bilateral economic relations
can be enhanced and further consolidated, and to create
conditions for science and technology expertise and
resources to be shared between both countries.
While in Romania, Minister Mosibudi Mangena had bilateral
discussions with Deputy Minister Gheorghe Popa of the
Ministry of Education and Research; Deputy Minister
Pahad with his counterpart, Deputy Minister George Ciamba;
Deputy Minister Dirk du Toit with Deputy Minister Valeriu
Steriu of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Rural
Development; and Deputy Minister Lindiwe Hendricks with
Deputy Minister Andrei Grigorescu.
The Deputy President and delegation left Romania for
South Africa today.
Enquiries: Lakela Kaunda
Cell: 082 782 2575
Issued by: The Presidency
16 September 2004
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