Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Departs to Ghana for the African Union Ministerial Meeting on the Common Defence, Security and Non-Aggression Pact: 25-26 January 2005

The South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has departed for Ghana following a successful bilateral visit to Mauritania from 22 - 24 January 2005.

During the visit to Mauritania, Minister Dlamini Zuma held discussions with her counterpart, Mohamed Vail Ould Belial on different fields of co-operation ranging from trade and industry, to mineral and energy; fisheries; maritime; transport; infrastructure and education. The Minister and her counterpart also signed an agreement on A Framework for Co-operation, which makes provision for the establishment of a Joint Co-operation Commission at ministerial level.

In Accra, Ghana Minister Dlamini Zuma will lead the South African delegation to the African Union (AU) Ministerial Preparatory Meeting on the Common Defence, Security and Non-Aggression Pact on 25 January 2005.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will arrive in Abuja, Nigeria on 26 January to lead the South African delegation to the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU from 27 - 28 January 2005. The Executive Council meeting will be followed by the Fourth Session of the Assembly of the African Union from 30 - 31 January 2005. President Thabo Mbeki will lead the South African delegation to the Summit.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 - 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs

Private Bag x152

PRETORIA

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24 January 2005