Minister Dlamini Zuma to host Retreat of African Union Foreign Ministers

Pretoria - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will from Tuesday - Thursday 8-10 May 2007 host a Retreat of African Union Foreign Ministers and the 10th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of AU Foreign Ministers which will be chaired by the Ghanaian Foreign Minister at the Zimbali Lodge in Kwazulu-Natal.

Foreign Ministers of the African Union were tasked by the Summit of Heads of State and Government in January 2007 to meet to evaluate progress towards the political and economic integration of Africa.

At the Retreat, Foreign Ministers will deliberate upon this matter and make recommendations and proposals to the AU Heads of State and Government Summit scheduled for Ghana in July this year. Ministers will also look at defining a common understanding of political and economic integration of Africa.

At the conclusion of the Retreat, the AU's Executive Council of Foreign Ministers will be held at the same venue from 09-10 May 2007 as part of preparations for the AU Summit of Heads of State and Government in Accra, Ghana.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

6 May 2007