Minister Dlamini Zuma to host Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister for Discussions

Pretoria – South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on Monday 3 November 2008 host the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn for bilateral political, economic and trade discussions at the Presidential Guesthouse in Tshwane. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean Asselborn will arrive in South Africa on Sunday, 2 November 2008, where he will visit Tshwane and Cape Town, accompanied by a delegation of investment fund managers.

Issues on the agenda of discussions between the Ministers are expected to include, among others, the status of bilateral relations, the implementation of the Africa-European Union Strategic Partnership Action Plan, the African Union and the  SADC integration process, as well as the United Nations and its comprehensive reform.

The meeting will also facilitate an understanding of African perspectives on a variety of issues, considering Luxembourg’s participation in the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) and the UN Peace-Building Commission (PBC).

Luxembourg, as a fully fledged and active member of the European Union and the United Nations, is an important partner to South Africa. Luxembourg and South Africa enjoy good bilateral relations and in multilateral fora South Africa has received regular affirmations of support from Luxembourg, including in our negotiations with the European Union on a new trade dispensation.

South Africa exported goods to the Belgium – Luxembourg Economic Union to the value of Euro 1.966 billion (app. R27 billion) in 2007, which represents a 25% increase. Imports from the Union increased by 2% on the previous year to reach Euro 1.1 billion (app. R15 billion). South Africa enjoyed a positive trade balance to the value of Euro 864 million (app. R12 billion) in 2007 and current indications are that these figures for 2008 will continue to grow. South African statistics reflect trade with the Belgian – Luxembourg Economic Union and separate figures for only Luxembourg are not available.

While in South Africa, Minister Asselborn is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament Lindiwe Mahlangu-Nkabinde, and the Mayor of Cape Town Helen Zille.

Coinciding with Deputy Prime Minister Asselborn’s visit, the Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry (ALFI) will be hosting fund industry seminars in Johannesburg on 3 November and in Cape Town on 4 November 2008. The Luxembourg Fund Industry is ranked second largest in the world with more than Euro 1, 896 billion of assets under management. Luxembourg funds represent 75, 4% of true cross-border fund distribution and are also widely distributed outside Europe, including in South Africa. These seminars will aim to present the most recent developments in the Luxembourg Fund Industry. Deputy Prime Minister Asselborn is expected to deliver the closing address at both the seminars.

Media Programme for Visit to South Africa by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Tshwane
0001

2 November 2008