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Deputy Foreign Minsiter Aziz Pahad to hold Bilateral Political
and Economic Discussions with his Hungarian Counterpart Tshwane - South
African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will hold bilateral political and economic
discussions with his Hungarian counterpart Political State Secretary for Foreign
Affairs András Bársony at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Monday,
20 February 2006. Consultations between Deputy Minister Pahad and State
Secretary Bársony come within the context of South Africa's objective to
strengthen relations with countries of the North in order to consolidate the developmental
agenda of the South in general and Africa in particular. In addition, Hungary
is a newly admitted member to the European Union (EU). Issues on the agenda
of discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and State Secretary Bársony
are likely to include, among others: - The status of bilateral political
and economic relations between both countries;
- Assessment of UN Summit
in September 2005;
- Perceptions on the latest developments pertaining
to the UN reform process;
- South African and European Union positions
on the recently held Ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Hong
Kong;
- Relations between the African Union and European Union including
the European Union-African Union dialogue;
- Peace-keeping, conflict resolution
and post-conflict resolution in Africa;
- Positions on the Middle East Peace
Process; and
- Developments in the Western Balkans.
State Secretary
Bársony will depart from South Africa for Namibia on Tuesday, 21 February
2006. Bilateral Economic Relations The Trade Agreement between
South Africa and Hungary was terminated during the first half of 2004 in view
of the latter country's accession to the EU on 1 May 2004. As from the date of
its accession to the EU, Hungary applied the Trade, Development and Co-operation
Agreement (TDCA) concluded between South Africa and the EU in 1999. Bilateral
economic relations between South Africa and Hungary are good. Hungary is one of
South Africa's most important trading partners in Central Europe. According to
Hungarian trade statistics, bilateral South African/Hungarian trade has constantly
increased during the period 2000 to 2004. The trade balance is currently in Hungary's
favour. | Year | SA
Exports | SA Imports | | 2001 |
US$ 95,6 million | US$ 31,5 million | | 2002 | US$
58,2 million | US$ 61,7 million | | 2003 | US$
51,7 million | US$ 98,1 million | | 2004 | US$
90,4 million | US$ 133,5 million |
SA
imports: Light bulbs, cell phone parts, machinery and equipment, furniture, foodstuffs
and beverages, raw materials. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Tshwane
0001 19
February 2006
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