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President Thabo Mbeki to Launch Logo for 2010 World Cup in Germany Pretoria
- South African President Thabo Mbeki, supported by Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana
Dlamini Zuma and Minister of Sport Makhenkhesi Stofile, will pay a Working Visit
to Berlin, Germany from Friday - Sunday, 7-9 July 2006 where he will hold discussions
with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in addition to participating in the 2010
Handover Ceremony and launching the logo for the 2010 World Cup. President
Thabo Mbeki's delegation will also include members of the Local Organising Committee
- Ministers Sydney Mufamadi, Essop Pahad, Jeff Radebe, Charles Nqakula, Nosiviwe
Mapisa-Nqakula, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi and Deputy Minister Jabu Moleketi. President
Mbeki's visit to Germany comes within the context of South Africa's stated commitment
to making the 2010 Soccer World Cup a truly African event. In this regard South
African cultural groups will present truly South African artistic presentations
during the Handover Ceremony. While in Germany President Mbeki is expected
to hold discussions with German President Horst Koehler and Chancellor Angela
Merkel. Issues on the agenda of discussions are expected to include, among
others: - The implementation of President Koehler's African Partnership
Initiative since its inaugural meeting in Bonn in November 2005;
- An overview
of the current status of bilateral relations and prospects for future bilateral
co-operation;
- The forthcoming Group of 8 (G-8) Summit to be hosted by
Russia in July 2006, the forthcoming German presidencies of the European Union
and the G-7/8 and how Germany can support the African development agenda through
its chairmanship;
- Developments within the European Union and Africa Review
of Regions:
- Co-operation in the World Trade Organisation negotiations;
- South African preparations for the 2010 World Cup;
- African conflict
resolution and peacekeeping and the support of the European Union in these initiatives.
In this regard, Germany will lead the European Union Peacekeeping Force to the
DRC ahead of and during their scheduled elections; and
- Other international
issues of mutual concern including the situation in Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian
crisis.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 Department
of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 4 July
2006
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