High-Level South African Ministerial Delegation expected for SADC Meetings

Lusaka – Minister Dlamini Zuma arrived in Lusaka on Sunday 12 August 2007. A High-Level South African Ministerial delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is expected to attend various segments of the SADC Ministerial meetings scheduled for Lusaka, Zambia, from Monday to Friday 13 to 17 August 2007.

South Africa is participating in both the SADC Ministerial and Summit Heads of State and Government as part of its priority of strengthening and consolidating SADC as a sub-regional economic bloc and a vehicle for achieving sustainable regional integration and development.

On Monday 13 August, Ministers Trevor Manuel, Mandisi Mpahlwa and Deputy Minister Rob Davies are expected to attend the SADC Regional Ministers of Integration Meeting to discuss:

• Economic integration in SADC;
• and the assessment of the status of implementation of the Free Trade Area scheduled for 2008.

On Tuesday and Wednesday 14 to 15 August Ministers Dlamini Zuma, Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, and Lulu Xingwana will attend the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting to discuss:

• Food security;
• Integration of SADC;
• Infrastructure and human resource development;
• Tourism related issues focusing on 2010 FIFA World Cup and the Confederation of African Football Tournament scheduled for Angola;
• And the schedule of payments of member states.

On Wednesday 15 August President Thabo Mbeki will depart South Africa for Lusaka where he will lead the South African delegation to the SADC Summit of Heads of States and Governments scheduled for Thursday and Friday to discuss:

• the political situation in the region including Lesotho, DRC and Zimbabwe;
• infrastructure development in the region;
• reports of the Council of Ministers and Regional Ministers of Integration.

Wednesday will also witness the meeting of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security at Troika level to discuss the political situation in the region.

On Friday 17 August Minister of Defence Mosiua Lekota will represent South Africa at the launch of the SADC brigade.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

13 August 2007