Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to host Timor-Leste Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Zacarias da Costa, 17 August 2009.
Pretoria- International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will on Monday, 17 August 2009 host her counterpart Timor-Leste Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Zacarias da Costa at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria. Dr Zacarias da Costa is on an official visit to South Africa from 17 -21 August 2009.
This visit by Timor-Leste Foreign Affairs Minister takes place within the context of South-South cooperation with relations between the two countries dating back over decades. Accordingly, the bilateral meeting between Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Minister da Costa seeks to build on this solid foundation by exploring and identifying areas of cooperation for the benefit of both countries.
South Africa has played a critical role in assisting with nation building and the development of democratic institutions to further strengthen democracy and good governance in East Timor.
In addition South Africa stands ready to assist the Government of Timor-Leste with reconstruction and development of the country and it is expected that some of the priority areas that the Ministers will focus on include:
- Capacity building with emphasis on the justice system;
- Security sector reform;
- Infrastructure development;
- Education and skills training; and
- Youth Development
On the multilateral level, South Africa, during its term as Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council in 2007-8, was designated as the lead Nation on Timor-Leste. It was during this time that the Timorese Government invited South Africa to send observer missions to the Presidential and Parliamentary elections respectively.
MEDIA PROGRAME
14:30 Media arrives for photo opportunity
15:00 Minister Nkoana-Mashabane receives Minister Da Costa at the Presidential Guest house.
Photo Opportunity
15:05 Opening Remarks
Media in attendance
15:15 Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Minister da Costa are taken to the meeting room for bilateral meeting
17:15 Close of meeting
For more information contact Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x152
Pretoria
0001
16 August 2009 |
