President Thabo Mbeki to pay Working Visit to Algeria following the conclusion of his State Visit to Italy

Paris - South African President and Mrs Thabo Mbeki, supported by Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Mandisi Mpahlwa, will pay a one day working visit to Algeria on Thursday, 23 March, following the conclusion of the state visit to Italy on the same day.

President Mbeki led a South African Government delegation including Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Mandisi Mpahlwa, Mosibudi Mangena, Director General of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ayanda Ntsaluba, political and legal advisors of the President, Titus Mafolo, and Advocate Mojanku Gumbi respectively.

The visit was aimed at consolidating bilateral political and economic relations between SA and Italy, within the priority of strengthening relations with countries of the north to ensure a faster and shared economic growth while consolidating the African agenda.

During the state visit President Mbeki met with his Italian counterpart President Carlo Ciampi, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Union Opposition Coalition leader Romano Prodi and Mayor and Mrs Veltroni before visiting Capitoline Museum, Julius Caesar Hall and laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier.

President Mbeki also had an opportunity to interact and address a business forum comprising South African and Italian Business Executives, wherein a memorandum of understanding was signed between Business Unity South Africa and Confindustria.

President Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Friday, 24 March 2006.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa
082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Tshwane
0001

22 March 2006