Minister Dlamini Zuma to join Mahmoud Abbas and Shimon Peres in addressing the Ambrosetti Forum

Milan: South African Foreign Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on Friday 5 September share a platform with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Simon Peres during a round-table discussion at the Ambrosetti Forum, scheduled for Milan, Italy.

Minister Dlamini Zuma arrived in Milan, today, Thursday 4 September ahead of her scheduled bilateral political and economic discussion with her Italian counterpart, Foreign Minister Dr. Franco Frattinni on Saturday with a view to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. Minister Dlamini Zuma’s visit to Italy is part of a three nation bilateral visits which will also see her visit Tunisia and Belarus.

During the round-table discussions at the Ambrosetti Forum, Minister Dlamini Zuma will, join President Mahmoud Abbas and President Peres during the deliberations on ‘The World Outlook -A Mediterranean Perspective”. Other issues at the Forum will include:

• Energy and Climate change
• The Economic Outlook
• Competing Globally 
• Today the world of Tomorrow - Scientific and Technological Developments,
•  The Agenda for Europe: Institutional Developments, Economy and Competitiveness. A speech by the President of the Italian Republic, Mr. Giorgio Napolitano will also be delivered.

Amongst world leaders expected to participate at this year's Forum will be Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, President of the European Commission, Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League, Cheng Siwei, former vice chairman, standing committee of the National People's Congress (China) and Vice President of the United States, Richard Cheney. The world of academia, business and the media will be represented by various high profile scholars and practitioners.
 
For more information contact Nomfanelo Kota on +27 82 459 3787 (Milan)

C/O SA Milan Consul - General Office

Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs

Pretoria 

4 September 2008