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Deputy President Mlambo Ngcuka to meet Springbok Rugby Team during Official Visit to France
Pretoria – South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, supported by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe, will on Saturday 13 October visit and offer moral support to the Springbok National Rugby team ahead of its scheduled semi-final against Argentina, on the margins of her official visit to France.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will depart for France today, Wednesday 10 October for her official visit scheduled for Thursday-Sunday 11-14 October where she is expected to hold bilateral discussions with her counterpart French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and pay a courtesy call on President Nicolas Sarkozy
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka’s visit to France comes within the context of South Africa’s efforts to strengthen bilateral political, economic and trade relations with France within the context of advancing North-South co-operation.
During her visit, Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will also present a keynote address at the Third Conference of the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society in Deauville.
South Africa and France enjoy cordial political relations characterised by regular high-level dialogue, diverse bilateral cooperation programmes and growing bilateral trade. In this regard, engagements between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka and the French government will seek to achieve:
- The strengthening of bilateral relations between South Africa and the new French government;
- Discuss the proposed visit of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s to South Africa in 2008;
- Soliciting support from the new French administration for the African Agenda through support for conflict-resolution on the continent and the promotion of social and economic development;
- The improvement of trade and investment relations with France and the European Union;
- The forthcoming Africa-EU Summit in Portugal; and
- Review of the 62 nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa @ 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
PO Box X152
Pretoria
0001
10 October 2007
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