Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to hold Bilateral Discussions with US Secretary of State, Ms Hillary Rodham Clinton
Pretoria – International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will, on Friday, 07 August 2009, host her USA counterpart Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria for bilateral discussions. Secretary Clinton’s visit, scheduled for 06-09 August 2009, will be the first such visit to South Africa since her appointment as Secretary of State in January 2009.
The discussions between Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and her USA counterpart will take place within the context of consolidating the already sound bilateral relationship between the two countries with a particular view of establishing high-level diplomatic contact between South Africa and the USA.
In this regard the discussions will amongst others focus on:
- Establishment of a structured Bilateral Mechanism aimed at regulating existing bilateral, political and economic relations between the two countries.
- NEPAD, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and the support for the Consolidation of the African Agenda.
- Collaboration in the fight against communicable diseases, including tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS.
- Strengthening educational, scientific and cultural cooperation.
SA’s Trade relationship with the USA
The trade and investment relationship between the two countries has significantly increased resulting in total trade approaching almost R100 billion with SA enjoying a trade surplus of approximately R20 billion in 2008. In addition South Africa is one of the major beneficiaries under AGOA ranking third after Nigeria and Angola, respectively, with South African exports to the US being the most diversified when compared to other Sub-Saharan African countries’ exports.
Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will also be hosting a dinner on 07 August 2009 within the context of Women’s month, where Secretary Clinton will be the guest of honour. Of importance Secretary Clinton will pay special attention to the status of women and their role in good governance during this visit.
Secretary Clinton will pay a courtesy call on Former President Nelson Mandela as well as visit US funded projects in and around Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town.
The visit is expected to conclude on Women’s Day, Sunday, 09 August 2009.
Update on the Visit to South Africa by the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 06-09 August 2009
Media Programme on the Visit to South Africa by the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 06-09 August 2009
Issued by Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x152
Pretoria
0001
04 August 2009 |
