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President Thabo Mbeki to Pay a State visit to the Hellenic Republic,
Thursday, 24 - Saturday 26 February 2005 Cape Town - South African President
Thabo Mbeki, accompanied by Mrs. Zanele Mbeki and Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini
Zuma, Alec Erwin and Deputy Minister Lindiwe Hendricks will depart South Africa
today, Wednesday 23 February for a State Visit to the Hellenic Republic from Thursday
to Saturday, 24 -26 February 2005. President Mbeki's State Visit follows
an invitation by President Constantinos Stephanopoulos extended during the latter's
visit to South Africa from 29 October to 1 November 2002 and is aimed at consolidating
existing excellent bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa
and the Hellenic Republic. During the State Visit, both President Mbeki
and President Stephanopoulus will have an opportunity to exchange views on wide
range of issues including bilateral political and economic relations, regional
developments and global multilateral issues. In this regard, it is expected
that the two Presidents will consider among others:
- The consolidation
and expansion of bilateral relations between the two countries;
- The operationalisation
of the African Union (AU) and its institutions;
- Conflict management, prevention
and resolution on the African continent;
- UN reform and issues relating
to global governance, notably pertinent issues on the United National Security
Council (UNSC) agenda, as Greece is currently serving as a member of the UNSC;
- EU
reform and enlargement with emphasis on South-Eastern Europe, notably the Balkans;
- The
current situation with regard to Cyprus; and
- Other matters of mutual interest.
President
Mbeki is also scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Constantinos Karamanlis,
the Speaker of Parliament, Anna Psarouda-Benaki and leaders of political parties.
He will interact with business leaders and deliver an address at the Hellenic
Foundation for European and Foreign Policy. President Mbeki will be bestowed
with the Gold Medal of Merit of the City of Athens from the Mayor, Dora Bakoyannis. Economic
relations
South Africa's imports from Greece were valued at R106, 390 million
in 2003, while exports to Greece amounted to R435, 811 million. Greece
was the 12th largest foreign investor in South Africa for the period 1999 -2002
with investments valued at R1, 6 billion at that time. Greek investors are active
in the financial sector, shipping, and foodstuffs. Issues by Ronnie Mamoepa
on 082 990-4853 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
23
February 2005 | 
