Minister Dlamini Zuma arrives in Angola ahead of Joint Co-operation Meeting

Luanda – South African Foreign Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, accompanied by Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Deputy Minister Malusi Gigaba arrived in Luanda today, Tuesday 20 November ahead of the scheduled SA-Angola Joint Commission of Co-operation meeting.

Minister Dlamini Zuma and her Angolan counterpart Foreign Minister Joao de Miranda are expected to officiate at the opening session of the Joint Commission of Co-operation established in the year 2000.

In this regard, three major agreements namely, agreements on the Petroleum sector, promotion of tourism and a declaration of intent on the waiving of visas for ordinary passport holders will be signed at the conclusion of the Joint Commission of Co-operation meeting on Wednesday 21 November.

Minster Dlamini Zuma and her delegation are participating in the SA-Angola Joint Commission of Co-operation meeting within the context of the need to strengthen political, economic and trade relations with Angola as part of efforts to advance the consolidation of the African Agenda.

During the visit to Angola and on the margins of the Joint Commission of Co-operation meeting, Minister Dlamini Zuma, Minister Sonjica and Deputy Minister Gigaba are expected to hold bilateral political discussions with their Angolan counterparts.

Issues on the agenda of bilateral discussion between Minister Dlamini Zuma and Angolan Foreign Minister de Miranda will include among others:

• Review of bilateral political and economic relations between the countries
• Discussions on the regional political and economic situation
• And the forthcoming EU-Africa Summit scheduled for Lisbon, Portugal later in the year.

Minister Dlamini Zuma and her delegation are expected to return to South Africa on Thursday 22 November 2007.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

South African Embassy
Angola

20 November 2007