Deputy Minister Ebrahim arrives in Iran ahead of the Fourth Meeting of the SA- Iran Deputy Ministerial Working Group Meeting

Tehran- International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim has today, Sunday 27 September 2009 arrived in Iran ahead of the fourth meeting of SA-Iran Deputy Ministerial Working Group scheduled to take place on the 28- 29 September 2009. South African Ambassador to Iran, Ambassador Ebrahim Saley welcomed Deputy Minister Ebrahim and Delegation at the Imam Khomeini International Airport.

Deputy Minister Ebrahim’s visit comes within the context of South Africa’s priority and commitment in enhancing and broadening the scope of the relationship and cooperation with Iran especially in trade and economic matters within the framework of South-South Cooperation.

Accordingly, Deputy Minister Ebrahim will co-chair the fourth meeting of the SA-Iran Deputy Ministerial working group meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs, Mr Mohammad Reza Baqeri and the discussions of the meeting will include amongst others the following issues:

• Bilateral and economic relations between two countries
• Developments in Africa and the Middle East and Regional Cooperation
• Human Rights, Social and Health issues
• International cooperation, trade and security.

In this regard, Deputy Minister Ebrahim will have a bilateral meeting with Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Dr Behrouz Alishiri on Monday, 28 September 2009 and later pay a courtesy call on Minister of Economy and Finance, Dr Seyed Shamseddin Hussein, and it is expected that the discussion will include amongst others-

• The progress made on the implementation of decisions taken during the Tenth joint Commission, and
• The South African Trade office that has recently opened in Iran and its engagements with projects of economic nature

Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Baqeri will host a working dinner in honour of Deputy Minister Ebrahim on Tuesday 29 September 2009.

Deputy Minister Ebrahim is expected to conclude his visit and return to South Africa on 02 October 2009.

For further information please contact Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
c/o South African Mission in Tehran
Iran

27 September 2009