Minister Dlamini Zuma to hold Discussions in New York

Tshwane - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will later today Friday, 15 July 2005 depart for New York, as part of the African Union's (AU's) Committee of 10, responsible for popularising and mobilising international support for Africa's position on the comprehensive reform of the United Nations including the General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC and global financial institutions.

Minister Dlamini Zuma today returned from a three nation European working visit that saw her visit Moscow, Paris and London where she held bilateral political and economic discussions with her counterparts Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov, Dr Philippe Douste-Blazy, and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, where she discussed the comprehensive reform of the United Nations, outcomes of the recently concluded G-8 Summit, conflict resolution in Africa and the global fight against terrorism.

Meanwhile, later today Minister Dlamini Zuma will hold discussions with Russian Minister Yuri Petrovich Trutnev in preparation for the 5th session of the South Africa - Russia Intergovernmental Trade and Economic Committee (ITEC) to be held in Moscow later this year.

Minister Dlamini Zuma's delegation will include Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lindiwe Hendricks who will participate in the consultations as part of growing bilateral co-operation in the field of Minerals and Energy between both countries.

ITEC is the most important mechanism regulating bilateral political, trade and economic relations between South Africa and Russia.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

15 July 2005