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President Festus Mogae to Pay State Visit to South Africa At
the invitation of President Thabo Mbeki, Botswana's President Festus Mogae will
pay a state visit to South Africa from 24 to 27 October 2005 beginning in Cape
Town. The State Visit is aimed at consolidating and strenghtening political,
economic, social and trade links between the two countries. The visit comes in
the context of South Africa's commitment to strengthening regional integration
and cooperation within SADC. During the State Visit both President Mbeki
and President Mogae will have an opportunity on Tuesday, 25 October 2005 to hold
bilateral, economic and political discussions focusing mainly on: - 1. Overview
of political and economic relations between SA and Botswana
2. Developments
within SADC
3. Developments within the AU and the implementation of Nepad
4.
Conflict resolution as well as peace keeping operations In addition the
two Foreign Ministers, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Lt.Gen. Merafhe Mompati are
expected to brief the two Presidents on progress made in the implementation of
joint projects arising from the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation between
the two countries. The two Ministers met in Pretoria on 13 October 2005
as part of
preparations for the State Visit and to review progress made by
the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation. The bilateral discussions
between President Mbeki and President Mogae are expected to culminate in the signing
of the following: - 1. Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture and Livestock
2. Search and Rescue Agreement
3. Memorandum of Understanding on Health
Matters
4. Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation between Local Government
Authorities
5. Cultural Agreement
6. Sports and Recreation Agreement On
Wednesday, 26 October 2005 President Mogae is expected to address the joint sitting
of Parliament before departing for East London for meetings with the Eastern Cape
Premier and members of the Executive Council, as well as traditional and business
leaders. President Mogae returns to Botswana on Thursday, 27 October 2005. Issued
by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private
Bag x152
Tshwane
0001 23 October 2005
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