Minister Dlamini Zuma departs for Argentina to Co-chair SA - Argentina Joint Binational Commission (BNC)

Pretoria – South African Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will, today, Sunday 30 November 2008, depart for Argentina where she will lead the South African Government delegation to the Second session of the SA-Argentina Binational Commission scheduled for Buenos Aires from Tuesday-Wednesday 2-3 December 2008

In this regard, Minister Dlamini Zuma will join the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Dr Jorge Enrique Taiana, in co-chairing the Binational Commission meeting.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will participate in the BNC between South Africa and Argentina within the context of South Africa's commitment to strengthen and consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries while advancing south-south relations.

In this regard, issues on the agenda of the BNC include amongst others:

• Recent political developments in Argentina and South Africa;
• the status of bilateral relations;
• the outcome of the Bilateral Seminar on “South Africa/Argentina and Africa/South America: Strengthening the relationship even further

• strengthening of trade and investment cooperation between South Africa and Argentina;
• regional developments and inter-regional issues including:
• multilateral Issues;
• other issues of mutual interest such as:

• the global food crisis and food management;
• the energy crisis and impact of global energy (oil and gas) prices on developing countries;
• the economic and financial crisis;
• human rights and Argentina’s membership of the Human Rights Commission (HRC);
• non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and peaceful use of nuclear technology; and
• Climate change

Bilateral Political Relations

South Africa and Argentina enjoy sound bilateral relations and the various common ideals and objectives of the two governments provide a potential basis for enhanced bilateral relations. Since the establishment of democracy in South Africa in 1994 the two countries have signed a number of bilateral agreements to regulate their bilateral relations.

Argentina has described its relationship with South Africa as a strategic one and South Africa is also viewed as Argentina’s strategic partner in the development of its relationship with Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa.

South Africa and Argentina also share very similar and common positions and objectives at multilateral level such as the development agenda of the south; the centrality and importance of multilateralism and the United Nations system; and the reform of the global economic governance and trading systems.

They also share membership of a number of multilateral fora including the WTO negotiations; the G20, NAMA 11 within the Doha Round of trade negotiations, the Cairns Group, the Valdivia Group, and the Antarctic Treaty System, amongst others.

Bilateral Trade Relqtions

Bilateral trade between South Africa and Argentina is in the latter’s favour.

In 2007 South Africa's exports to Argentina increased to R 701 028 000 from R 686 779 000 the previous year, and imports from Argentina increased to R 7 256 228 000 from R 6 587 958 000 during that period.

Major exported products included Ferro-vanadium; fishing vessels; chemical products; newsprint paper; polyester yarn; and tools for pressing, stamping and punching, amongst others.

Products imported from Argentina include soya bean products; maize, petroleum oils; crude oils; prepared foodstuffs, motor vehicles for the transport of goods; automotive Components and live animals and animal products.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

30 November 2008