Minister Dlamini Zuma returns to South Africa following visit to European Union

PRETORIA- South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma returns to SA today, Friday 26 November ahead of her scheduled visit to the Middle East from 30 November to 20 December 2004.
Minister Dlamini Zuma has just concluded a successful visit to Brussels, Belgium where she led the South African Government delegation to the South Africa- EU Joint Co-operation Council Meeting held on the 23rd November 2004.

Minister Dlamini Zuma's visit to Brussels followed President Thabo Mbeki's recent official visit to the EU which sought to consolidate the links between South Africa and the European Union especially in the context of an enlarged European Union.

The SA - EU Ministerial meeting followed full entry into force of the SA - EU Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA). Minister Dlamini Zuma co-chaired the meeting with her counterpart, Minister for Development Co-operation of the Netherlands, Van Ardenne - van der Hoeven,
Minister Dlamini Zuma's visit gave concrete meaning to the consolidation of ties that exist between South Africa and the European Union. In this context, the mid - term review of South Africa's Trade and Development Co-operation aimed at securing increased access to the Union for South Africa's exports was reviewed.

· Both parties acknowledged the historical importance for EU - South Africa relations following the visit made of President Thabo Mbeki and his vision of the future of Africa and the role Europe should play in Africa's development.
· Both parties also welcomed the first Ministerial meeting of the Co-operation Council of the Trade Development and Co-operation Agreement pursuant to the full ratification of the Agreement and the enlargement of the European Union. This was recognized as heralding a new era in the relations between South Africa and the EU and marked the beginning of full implementation of the EU - South Africa Trade Development and Co-operation Agreement

South Africa and the EU expressed their satisfaction that full implementation of the TDCA deepened and broadened existing co-operation in all the areas covered by the agreement, namely political dialogue, trade, trade related issues, economic co-operation and development co-operation.

· Both parties underscored that the eradication of poverty through economic growth is a central theme in SA - EU Trade relations. In this regard, the parties welcomed the positive results emanating from the provisional application of the Trade Development and Co-operation Agreement. They both noted that since provisional application of the Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement in January 2000, bilateral trade has grown by close to 50%. Both parties noted the discussions between President Mbeki and President Barosso on regional policies of the EU and challenges facing South Africa in supporting the underdeveloped part of its economy (the second economy).

In this regard, the EU was informed that South Africa will be sending a team of senior government to the European Union in 2005 to study the application of pre-accession instruments.

Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected in South Africa on Friday, 26th November 2004 ahead of her official visit to the Middle East and Asia.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
26 November 2004.