Deputy Minister Pahad to hold Discussions with Syrian Foreign Minister

Pretoria – South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will on Monday 19 May 2008 hold discussions with the Syrian Foreign Minister and Special Envoy of President Assad, Walid Al Moalem at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad will hold discussions with Minister Al Moalem within the context of South Africa’s priority to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Syria with view to consolidating the developmental agenda of the South.

Issues on the agenda of discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and Minister Al Moalem are expected to include, among others:

• The status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries;
• Developments in the Middle East including Lebanon, Iraq, Israel and Palestine;
• Nuclear non-proliferation; and
• Other international issues.

While in South Africa Minister Al Moalem is expected to pay a courtesy call on President Thabo Mbeki and hold discussions with Ministers Ronnie Kasrils and Essop Pahad.

Minister Al Moalem will depart from South Africa on Tuesday 20 May 2008.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Media Programme for Incoming Visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al Moalem
Monday 19 May 2008

For further information contact Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

18 May 2008