Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in Paris for Bilateral Discussions

Paris - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is today Wednesday, 13 July 2005 scheduled to hold bilateral political and economic discussions with her counterpart French Foreign Minister Dr Philippe Douste-Blazy in Paris.

Minister Dlamini Zuma arrived on Tuesday, 12 July 2005 in Paris from Moscow.

Minister Dlamini Zuma is on a two-nation European visit to Russia and France as part of efforts aimed at strengthening and consolidating bilateral political and economic discussions between South Africa, Russia and France.

Earlier this week, Minister Dlamini Zuma was awarded the highest honour that the Russian Federation can bestow, the Order of Peter the Great before holding bilateral discussions with her Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Minister Dlamini Zuma and her French counterpart Dr Philippe Douste-Blazy will also discuss:
· An overview of political and economic relations between South Africa and France;
· Conflict resolution in the Ivory Coast, DRC, Sudan and Burundi;
· Comprehensive reform of the United Nations system including the Security Council, General Assembly and financial institutions;
· The outcome of the recently concluded G-8 Summit; and
· The situation in Iraq.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
13 July 2005