Deputy President Mlambo-Ncguka to pay Two Nation Eastern European Visit

Pretoria – South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ncguka will will today Sunday 18 May 2008 depart for Prague, Czech Republic where she will visit the Czech and Slovak Republics scheduled from Monday – Thursday 19-22 May 2008.

Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will visit the Czech and Slovak Republics within the context of South Africa’s priority to strengthen bilateral poltical, economic and trade relations with these two Eastern European countries and new members of the European Union with a view to consolidating relations with the European Union.

Working visit to the Czech Republic

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will pay a Working Visit to Prague, the Czech Republic from Monday – Tuesday 19-20 May 2008 where she will be hosted by her Czech counterpart Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek.

Issues on the agenda of discussions between Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka and Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek on Monday 19 May 2008 in Prague are expected to include, among others:

• The status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between South Africa and the Czech Republic;
• Developments within the African Continent: although a new member of the EU, the Czech Republic is playing a constructive role on the Continent and amongst others, provides between 50 to 60 scholarships to sub-Sahara Africa;
• Developments within the European Union with the
• South Africa – European Union relations with the SA-EU Troika Ministerial and Summit meetings to be held in June and July respectively;
• Progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; and
• Others issues of mutual interest.

Official visit to the Slovak Republic

Upon conclusion of her working visit to the Czech Republic, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will travel to Bratislava, Slovak Republic where she is scheduled to pay an Official Visit from Wednesday – Thursday 21-22 May 2008.  Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will be hosted by her Slovakian counterpart Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will be supported by Deputy Ministers Sue van der Merwe, Elizabeth Thabethe, Derek Hanekom, and Ntombazana Botha.

Discussions between Deputy President Mlambo-Ncguka and Prime Minister Fico on Wednesday 21 May 2008, are expected to include, among others:

• The status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries;
• Slovakian support for the African developmental agenda;
• Slovakian support for ASGISA and JIPSA; and
• Other issues of mutual interest.

Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka is also expected to hold discussions with President Ivan Gasparovic, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mr Ciz, Foreign Minister Jan Kubis.

Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will depart from the Slovak Republic on Thursday 22 May 2008 for Abuja, Nigeria where she will lead the South African delegation to the South Africa – Nigeria Binational Commission on Friday 23 May 2008.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The Czech Republic

Trade figures indicate that South Africa remains the Czech Republic’s biggest trade partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Nearly 40 % of its total trade with this region takes place with South Africa.

Some South African multinationals, i.e. SABMiller, Mondi and Sappi are active in the Czech Republic.

Plzensky Prazdroj a.s, a subsidiary of SABMiller plc, is the leading beer producer in Central Europe and the largest exporter of Czech beer to more than 50 countries world wide.   The group’s brands include the premium international beer, Pilsner Urquell as well as an exceptional range of market leading local brands.  By volume SABMiller is the second largest global brewing company worldwide with brewing interests or distribution agreements in over 60 countries across five continents.  Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is also one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world.

The Slovak Republic

In 2006 bilateral trade between Slovakia and South Africa amounted to US$ 93 million. This constitutes an increase of US$ 29 million compared to 2005. Slovakia imported from South Africa to the value of US$ 22 million that included fruits and nuts, mineral fuels, vehicles, iron and steel, salt, sulphur, wool, electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof, tanning extracts, wood pulp and man-made filaments. In 2006 Slovakia exported to South Africa to the value of US$ 70 million that included vehicles, electrical machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, iron and steel, organic chemicals, plastics, glass and glassware, paper and paper board.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

18 May 2008