British Foreign Secretary David Milliband arrived in South Africa for the SA-UK Bilateral Forum

Pretoria – At the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the British Foreign Secretary David Milliband today, Sunday 6 July arrived in South Africa for the 8th Session of the SA-UK Bilateral Forum to be held at the Presidential Guesthouse on Tuesday 8 July.

The SA-UK Bilateral Forum was established in 2000 to regulate and enhance political and economic relations between South Africa and the UK and is led by President Thabo Mbeki and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Both Minister Dlamini Zuma and Foreign Secretary Milliband will together co-chair the SA-UK Bilateral Forum with a view to strengthening and consolidating bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries within the broad framework of advancing north-south relations. The UK is South Africa’s largest trading partner in Europe.

In this regard, the South African delegation will include Ministers Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Mandisi Mphahlwa, Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, Deputy Minister Gert Oosthuizen and senior government officials. Foreign Secretary Milliband on the other hand is accompanied by five British Deputy Ministers of Foreign and Commonwealth office, Health, International Development, Home office, Culture, Media and Sport, and senior government officials.

Issues expected to be discussed during the Bilateral Forum on Tuesday include:

• A review of the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries
• The desired outcomes of the forthcoming G8 Summit in Japan with a view to the implementation of past G8 commitments to Africa
• Forthcoming SA-EU Summit, scheduled for France
• Current UN Security Council issues as well as the reform of the UN
• The outcomes of the recently concluded African Union Summit in Egypt including Zimbabwe
• Peace, Security and conflict resolution issues in Africa
• Defence Co-operation with a specific focus on peace keeping
• Middle East Peace process including Israeli- Palestinian, Iraq and Iran issues
• Food and Energy Security
• Health issues
• Migration issues between the two countries
• As well as WTO and Doha development round issues
• Economic Partnership Agreement

Later today, Sunday 6 July Foreign Secretary Milliband is expected to exchange views with young South African leaders on domestic and global issues at the Market Theatre at 13h00 and then visit projects funded by the British in Alexandra Township.

On Monday, Foreign Secretary Milliband is expected to interact with ANC leaders at Luthuli House, visit UNISA to address the next generation outreach event and later visit the Peace Mission Training Centre in Pretoria for discussions on South Africa’s role and support in peacekeeping operations on the continent.

Foreign Secretary Milliband is expected to return Great Britain on Wednesday 9 July 2008.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X 152
Pretoria
0001

6 July 2008