French President Nicholas Sarkozy expected in South Africa on Thursday

Cape Town –  French President Nicholas Sarkozy and Madame Sarkozy are expected to arrive in South Africa on Thursday 28 February ahead of scheduled bilateral political, economic and trade discussions with President Thabo Mbeki  at Tuynhuis in Cape Town.

President and Madame Sarkozy, who will be on a two-day state visit will be received at the Cape Town International Airport by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

President Mbeki will host President Sarkozy within the context of South Africa’s priority to strengthen bilateral political, economic and trade relations with France aimed at consolidating  North – South relations.

South Africa and France enjoy cordial relations characterised by regular high-level dialogue, diverse bilateral cooperation programmes and growing bilateral economic ties while co-operating at a multilateral level including the UN Security Council and  the G8. In addition, France is a member of the Group of 8 (G-8) and a Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Accordingly, engagements between Presidents Mbeki and Sarkozy are likely to include:

• Reviewing and improving institutional framework for bilateral relations;
• Cooperation in addressing South Africa’s energy challenges in the context of challenges of load shedding experienced in SA;
• Effective and expanded support for JIPSA (including capacity building in local government);
• Environmental and natural resource management; and
• Increased French investment in the areas of in transport, energy, automotive and aeronautical sectors.

With regards to securing and strengthening French support for the African Agenda, the two Presidents are likely to cover:

• French support for the AU’s Peace and Security architecture;
• Concrete measures and actions to address conflict prevention and resolution in Sudan, Chad, CAR, Western Sahara and other areas of conflict;
• Post-conflict reconstruction and development in Rwanda, Cote d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo;
• Support for African Peer Review Mechanism outcomes and action plans;
• Promoting Africa’s development through private investment and development of infrastructure;
• Support to African agriculture development and protection of water and natural resources; and
• Continued support for Africa’s health priorities and efforts to achieve energy security;
• Strengthen cooperation between the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council
• Reform of the UN system and expansion of the UN Security Council to make it more effective and responsive to new challenges;
• The reform and expansion of the G8; and
• Effective reform of the Bretton Woods institutions.

President Sarkozy will on Thursday 28 February 2008 address a joint sitting of Parliament, and on Friday 29 February address the SA-France Business Forum.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Economic relations between South Africa and France are continuously expanding.  France is South Africa’s eighth largest trading partner and an important investor in the South African economy.

Bilateral trade totalled R25 billion in 2007, with the trade balance in France’s favour.  South Africa’s exports were mainly minerals, metals and other commodities while imports from France included machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The SA-French Business Forum has provided an opportunity for South African and French business people to exchange views on doing business in Africa and to explore possible joint partnerships on the continent.

There are about 160 French companies operating in South Africa, including several French multinationals such as Total, Alcatel, Renault, Lafarge, Danone and Peugeot-Citroen. 

Cooperation under the auspices of ASGISA and JIPSA

France has made clear its commitment to support ASGISA and JIPSA, notably through envisaged participation in infrastructure development and in human resources training.  The French nuclear company AREVA is currently training South African engineering graduates in project management at post-graduate level.  The French-South African Technological Institute for Electronics (F’SATIE), based at the Tshwane University of Technology and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, will train 167 students over the next two years.  The Ecole Nationale d’Administration, in association with SAMDI, will offer training programmes to senior South African civil servants.

Media Programme for State Visit to South Africa by French President Nicholas Sarkozy, Thursday 28 – Friday 29 February 2008

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

27 February 2008