President Mbeki has arrived in Tunisia ahead of State Visit, Tunis, Tunisia
Tuesday, 12 October 2004

Tunisia - President and Mrs Thabo Mbeki arrived in Tunisia on Tuesday 12 October ahead of the state visit to the country scheduled for Tuesday - Wednesday, 12-13 October 2004. President Mbeki's delegation includes Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Pallo Jordan, Mosiuoa Lekota, Membathisi Mdladlana, Alec Erwin, Mandisi Mpahlwa, Zola Skweyiya and a large business delegation which will meet on the fringes of the State Visit.

While in Tunisia, President Mbeki will hold bilateral political and economic discussions with his counterpart, President Zine EL Abidine Ben Ali; meet with the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Mr F Mebazza; and receive the Keys of the City of Tunis presented by the Mayor of Tunis, Mr A Mohsen.

President Mbeki will also during the visit lay a wreath at the Monument to the Martyrs in Sedjoumi; visit the Bardo National Museum; visit a pilot project as part of the programmes of the National Solidarity Fund and the El Ghazala Technological Centre.

The state visit will thus create an excellent opportunity to consolidate political, economic and trade relations between SA and Tunisia. In addition, both President Thabo Mbeki and President Zine EL Abidine Ben Ali will during the visit have an opportunity to assess progress in the implementation of existing agreements as concluded during the various sessions of the Binational Commission between South Africa and Tunisia.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

12 October 2004