Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad to Visit Saudi Arabia for the SA - Saudi Arabia Joint Commission

Cape Town- South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad departs South Africa today, Thursday 9 March 2006 for Saudi Arabia where he will join the South African government delegation led by Minister of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa to the SA-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission scheduled for Riyadh on 11-12 March 2006.

The Joint Commission meeting takes place within the context of consolidating bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Saudi Arabia with a view to enhancing South African efforts aimed at a faster and shared economic growth through ASGISA while simultaneously seeking to consolidate the African Agenda.

In this regard, Minister Mpahlwa will co chair the Joint Commission with his Saudi counterpart focusing on economic issues, while Deputy Minister Pahad will co-chair with his counterpart political aspects of the Commission.

Within this framework, Deputy Minister Pahad is expected to discuss with his counterpart issues around the Middle East situation and developments in Iraq and Iran. Deputy Minister Pahad returns to South Africa on Monday 13 March 2006.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

9 March 2006.