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President Mbeki Holds Bilateral Consultations Berlin -Today,
Friday 08 June 2007, President Thabo Mbeki supported by the South African High
Representative to the G-8 Summit, Advocate Mojanku Gumbi departed Berlin for Heiligendamm
to participate in the Working Sessions of both the Africa Outreach Partners and
the Working Session of the G-8 Leaders and Heads of International Organizations.
South Africa`s participation at the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm comes within
the context of our country`s commitment to promote North - South Co-operation
in support of the African Agenda.
Bilateral consultations with President
Mbeki have also been scheduled today with the Prime Minister of Italy, Mr. Romano
Prodi, Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper, the German Chancellor, Dr.
Angela Merkel and the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Yesterday,
upon arrival in Berlin, President Mbeki supported by Ministers Nkosazana Dlamini
Zuma and Mandisi Mpahlwa held bilateral consultations with the UN Secretary General,
Ban Ki Moon, Chinese President Hu Jintao and the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles
Zenawi ahead of the Five Outreach Partners.
Amongst issues discussed during
the bilaterals were the situation on the African continent, with regards to peace
and security, matters pertaining to the United Nations, Trade and NEPAD.
Upon
conclusion of these bilaterals, President Mbeki informed by the need to strengthen
South - South Co -operation also participated in the Plus Five Outreach Partners
Meeting which was chaired by the President of Mexico, Mr. Felipe Calderon Hinojosa.
Other countries represented in the Meeting of the Heads of State and Government
included President Luiz Lula da Silva of Brazil, Chinese President Hu Jintao,Prime
Minister of India Manmohan Singh and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.
During the meeting, the leaders noted opportunities for joint collaboration
in the fields of cross - border investment, research and innovation, climate change,
energy and development.Views were also exchanged on topics of relevance to developing
countries such as glonbal governance, international trade, bio- fuels, migration
and South - South Co-operation. This meeting was followed by the Working Dinner
of the Africa Outreach countries.
President Mbeki is expected to return
to South Africa on Saturday, 9 June 2007 ahead of the visit of the Democrcatic
Republic of Congo, President Joseph Kabila.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa
on 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag x 152
Pretoria
0001
8 June 2007 | 
