President Thabo Mbeki to consolidate Relations in West Africa

Pretoria - South African President Thabo Mbeki, supported by Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will pay a Working Visit to Guinea Conakry and State Visit to Niamey, Niger scheduled on Monday, 3 July and Tuesday-Wednesday 4-5 July 2006 respectively.

Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Sunday 25 June 2006 visited Guinea Conakry where she held bilateral political and economic discussions with her counterpart Foreign Minister Mamady Conde to finalise preparations for President Mbeki's Official Visit to Guinea Conakry.

President Mbeki's visits to West Africa comes within the context of South Africa's priority to strengthen relations with all countries in Africa with a view to consolidating the African agenda.

President Mbeki is expected to hold bilateral political and economic discussions with his counterparts, Guinean President General Lansana Conte on Monday 3 July 2006 and President Mamadou Tjanda of Niger on Tuesday 4 July 2006 during which discussions are expected to focus on, among others:

• The status of bilateral political and economic relations between both countries;
• The outcomes of the African Union Summit held in Banjul, The Gambia 1-2 July 2006;
• The consolidation of the African agenda through, among others, the implementation of NEPAD;
• African peace, security and conflict resolution including the forthcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the recently concluded agreements in Burundi, preparations for elections in Côte d'Ivoire and the situation in Sudan; and
• The promotion of South African investments in Guinea and Niger.

President Mbeki, supported by Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is expected to conclude his visit to Niger on Wednesday 5 July 2006 ahead of his visit to Berlin, Germany where they will participate in the 2010 Handover Ceremony.

Bilateral Economic Relations

South Africa - Guinea Bilateral Relations

South Africa - Niger Bilateral Relations

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4863

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

2 July 2006