President Thabo Mbeki to host Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Thursday 19 June 2008, Union Buildings, Pretoria

Pretoria – South African President Thabo Mbeki will on Thursday 19 June 2008 host Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Pretoria for bilateral political and economic discussions at the Union Buildings Pretoria. Prime Minister Zenawi will be on a two-day visit to South Africa from Thursday-Friday 19-20 June 2008.

President Mbeki will hold discussions with Prime Minister Zenawi within the context of South Africa’s commitment to strengthen bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Ethiopia within the overall context of advancing the consolidation of the African Agenda.

Discussions between President Mbeki and Prime Minister Zenawi will include, amongst others:

• The review of the status of bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Ethiopia;
• Further areas of cooperation between the two countries;
• The domestic situation in Ethiopia;
• Ethiopia-Eritrea situation
• Situation in Southern Africa
• As well as other issues of mutual interest.

Bilateral relations between South Africa and Ethiopia have gone from strength to strength following the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1994. Both President Mbeki and Prime Minister Zenawi played a leading role in efforts aimed at the renewal of the continent including participation in the African Peer Review Mechanism under the aegis of NEPAD to foster democracy, political and economic good governance.

With the launch of the South Africa - Ethiopia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) on 18 March 2008, formal bilateral cooperation has since been elevated to the Ministerial level. The JMC allows for the Foreign Ministers of the two countries to meet biennially, while senior officials will meet annually to monitor and implement decisions taken by the two countries in areas of co-operation.  

Bilateral Economic Relations between South Africa and Ethiopia

Total trade between the two countries is currently standing at US$41.7 million, with South Africa’s exports to Ethiopia amounting to US$38.6 million, and imports from Ethiopia amounting to US$3.1 million.


Media Programme for the Incoming Visit by Ethiopian Prime Meles Zenawi, Thursday 19 June 2008

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 083 990 4853

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

18 June 2008