Deputy President Jacob Zuma to Hold Discussions with Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos, Cape Town, South Africa Wednesday, 1 June 2005

Cape Town - South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma will hold bilateral political and economic discussions with his Colombian counterpart, Vice President Francisco Santos at Tuynhuys in Cape Town on Wednesday, 1 June 2005.

In addition to the status of bilateral political and economic relations between both countries, it is expected that Deputy President Jacob Zuma will be briefed by his counterpart of the latest security situation in Colombia and the human rights situation in the country.

Vice President Francisco Santos is in South Africa to attend a workshop on Restorative Peace at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg. This follows the successful hosting of the International Conference on Restorative Justice in Colombia in February 2005.

The Conference in Colombia was attended by a number of prominent South Africans such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Justice Minister Penuell Maduna, Judge Albie Sachs and Mr Tokyo Sexwale, with the aim of assisting the strife-torn country in ending its 40-year domestic armed conflict.

Bilateral Economic Relations (SA Rands in millions (DTI))

South African Exports to Colombia 2004 2003 2002
221,944 323,569 399,279

South African Imports from Colombia 2004 2003 2002
157,349 104,392 45,922

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
? Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
31 May 2005