Deputy Minister Pahad Arrives in Panama

Panama City - South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad and Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi on Wednesday 11 July 2007 arrived in Panama City, Panama ahead of their official visit scheduled from Wednesday - Thursday 11-12 July 2007.

Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi are visiting Panama within the context of South Africa's commitment to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Panama.

Deputy Minister Pahad will hold bilateral political and economic discussions with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ricardo Duran on Thursday 12 July 2007 while Deputy Minister Moleketi is expected to hold discussions with the Vice Minister of Finance Orcila Vega de Constable.

Issues on the agenda of discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and Vice Minister Duran are expected to include, among others:
The status of bilateral political and economic relations between both countries;
A briefing on developments in the Latin American and SADC regions;
Increased South-South co-operation; and
Co-operation between both countries in multilateral fora including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 + China.

Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi will depart from Panama on Thursday 12 July 2007 for Mexico.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

12 July 2007