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Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad concludes Official Visit
to Portugal Lisbon - Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will today, Tuesday
10 May 2005, conclude a two-day official visit to Portugal. During the visit
Deputy Minister Pahad held political and economic discussions with Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs João Cravinho, Secretary of State for Communities
António Braga, Deputy Executive Secretary for the Community of Portuguese
Speaking Countries Ambassador Tadeu Soares, the Director-General External Policy
in the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Fernandes Pereira and
Minister of Defence Luis Armado. Discussions focused on the status of bilateral
relations between both countries, peacekeeping initiatives on the African continent,
the status of the EU-Africa Summit and multilateral issues of mutual interest
including the reformation of the United Nations and the global fight against terrorism. It
was emphasized by both sides that bilateral relations between both countries had
not reached its full potential especially considering the historical and current
political and cultural links between both countries. In this regard, at least
500 000 Portuguese speaking citizens live in South Africa with many involved in
key economic structures making a significant contribution to the South African
economy. Exports to Portugal from January to October 2004 amounted to R573
432m and imports from January to October 2004 amounted to R666 177 with the most
important South African exports to Portugal being coal, steel products, frozen
fish, fruit juices, fruit, vegetables, wood and granite. Main imports from Portugal
are cork, machinery, textile fibres, cables, electronic equipment and articles
of sound and image. Secretary of State for Communities António Braga
briefed Deputy Minister Pahad of his scheduled visit to South Africa beginning
17 May 2005. Secretary of State Braga will be accompanied on his visit be a high
ranking government and business delegation whose objective it will be to engage
with the Portuguese speaking community in South Africa and brief them of the status
of relations with the South African government and investigate and explore business
opportunities that could benefit both countries. In this regard, Deputy
Minister Pahad reiterated the many syngergies that could be found in the economies
of both Portugal and South Africa and once again urged the South African private
sector and parastatals to explore ways of further expanding economic relations
that could be facilitated through the strong political bilateral relations that
exist between both countries. Deputy Minister Pahad also briefed his Portuguese
hosts of the attempts by the South African government to combat crime in a holistic,
structured manner. It was also noted that many countries in Africa and the
world still have historical links with Portugal - Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde,
Guinea-Bissau and Brazil. These countries currently belong to the Community of
Portuguese Speaking Countries. Discussions also focused on current peacekeeping
and conflict resolution initiatives undertaken by both Portugal and South Africa
in various countries. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs João
Cravinho and Deputy Minister Pahad exchanged views on the current situation in
Guinea-Bissau where elections have been scheduled for 19 June 2005, the Great
Lakes region, Zimbabwe, the Ivory Coast and Sudan. Both sides remain committed
to the position that there can be no sustained global development without peace,
security and stability on the African continent. In this regard, Secretary of
State Cravinho reiterated the support for all initiatives to create the conditions
for peace, security and stability in Africa within the framework of the European
Union. Regarding the holding of the European Union - Africa Summit, both
sides concluded it is vital that such a Summit be held considering the historical
links between both continents. It was decided that, subject to all preparations
being complete, a Summit would be held in Lisbon in 2006. Deputy Minister
Pahad also mentioned that since this would follow the UN Summit in September 2005
that would review the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, both sides
could hold strategic discussions that would support the economic development of
Africa. In this regard Deputy Minister Pahad reiterated that Africa was
committed to strategic partnerships in the interests of constructive relationships
through the socio-economic programme of NEPAD. Overseas Development Aid should
also be contributed to Africa through NEPAD projects that would lead to infrastructure
and skills development in Africa through which the quality of life for all Africans
can be improved, which is in line with the South African government's strategic
objectives. In addition, Deputy Minister Pahad reaffirmed the African position
that Overseas Development Aid to Africa should meet the United Nations target
of 0.7% of donor countries GDP. Regarding multilateral issues of mutual
concern, both sides confirmed the position that the United Nations and all its
institutions should be transformed in order to respond to current global challenges
including underdevelopment and poverty. Both sides noted their support for the
reforms proposed by the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and await
the outcomes of the September 2005 conference in New York at which the progress
in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the way forward for
the reform of the United Nations will be discussed and reviewed. Deputy
Minister Pahad will later today conclude discussions with António Guterres,
President of the Socialist International and Jose Lello, Head of the International
Division of the Socialist Party during which preparations for the Progressive
Governance Summit to be hosted by South Africa in October 2005 will be discussed.
These meetings are aimed at consolidating party-to-party relations. On conclusion
of discussions, Deputy Minister Pahad will depart for Madrid, Spain where he is
scheduled to co-chair, with his Spanish counterpart Leon Gross, the second session
of the South Africa - Spain Annual Consultations on Friday, 13 May 2005 in Madrid,
and to participate in the Spanish Annual Seminar on Sub-Saharan Africa in Tenerife
on Thursday, 12 May 2005 where he will deliver an opening address to the seminar
and participate in a discussion entitled, "Africa as a New Political Priority." Issued
by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853. Department of Foreign Affairs
Private
Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 10 May 2005
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