Minister Dlamini Zuma Concludes Official Visit to Egypt

Cairo – South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on Tuesday 5 February 2008 conclude her official visit to Egypt where she paid a courtesy call on President Hosni Mubarak and held discussions with other political roleplayers.

In this regard, Minister Dlamini Zuma held discussions with her Egyptian counterpart Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Aboul Gheit within the context of the South Africa – Egypt Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) on Sunday 3 February 2008. 

Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Gheit considered regional, continental and global political, economic and social issues and committed themselves to consolidating bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Egypt.

Minister Dlamini Zuma also held discussions with the Secretary-General of the Arab League Amre Moussa on Monday 4 February 2008.  Upon conclusion of discussions, Minister Dlamini Zuma and Secretary-General Moussa signed an Agreement between South Africa and the League of Arab States to Establish a Diplomatic Mission in South Africa with a view to strengthening relations between South Africa and the Arab League.

Minister Dlamini Zuma also held discussions with the Minister of Trade and Industry Engineer Rashid Mohamed Rashid in order to increase bilateral economic, trade and investment relations between South Africa and Egypt.

Within this context both Ministers agreed that reciprocal trade missions will visit both Egypt and South Africa to identify trade and investment opportunities.

Minister Dlamini Zuma is scheduled to return to South Africa later on Tuesday 5 February 2008 ahead of the opening of Parliament and President Mbeki’s State of the Nation Address.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

5 February 2008