President Jacob G. Zuma to lead the South African Delegation to the 3rd Africa-European Summit, Libya, 29-30 November 2010

President Jacob G. Zuma will lead the South African delegation to the 3rd African-European Union Summit, scheduled to take place in Tripoli, the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya on 29 to 30 November 2010. The first Summit was held in Cairo, Egypt, in 2001, followed by the second held in 2007 in Lisbon. The delegates will participate in the 3rd Summit under the theme, ‘Growth, Investments and Job creation’ with the aim to discuss concrete ways to create more and inclusive growth. President Zuma is scheduled to address the 3rd Summit on the sub-theme of Millennium Development Goals, Agriculture and Food Security.

The Republic of South Africa continues to embrace the development and investment-orientated approach to our engagements with the European Union, guided by our national priorities and the South Africa-EU Strategic Partnership. Furthermore, in our interactions with the developed countries of the North, we seek to identify, build and reinforce mutually beneficial relations to assist us in defeating the ills of poverty and support the global development agenda, specifically Africa’s developmental priorities. It is in this over-arching context that the Republic of South Africa participates in the 3rd Summit of Africa-European Union. 

At the 3rd Summit, Heads of State/Government will also address key issues like peace and security, climate change, regional integration and private sector development, infrastructure and energy, and migration. The Summit takes place at a crucial moment of the discussions on major global challenges and will provide a unique opportunity to further these discussions and other challenges affecting today’s global society.

The Africa-EU Summit offers a unique opportunity to Heads of State/Government of the two continents to strengthen their relations to jointly tackle continental and global opportunities and challenges. It is also a unique opportunity for Africa and Europe to demonstrate their ability to pool their efforts and to reaffirm their ambitious Lisbon commitments. The Joint Africa-EU Strategy’s first Action Plan, covering 2008-2010, include eight strategic partnerships. These are on peace and security, democratic governance and human rights, trade, regional integration and infrastructure, MDGs, energy, climate change, migration, mobility and employment and science, information society and space.

President Zuma will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies; and senior government officials.

For further information please contact the Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr Saul Kgomotso Molobi on +27 82 940 1647 or +27 12 351 0083, or via e-mail at molobisk@dirco.gov.za .
Alternatively, call President Zuma’s Spokesperson, Mr Zizi Kodwa, on +27 82 330 4910.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
OR Tambo Building
Private Bag X152
PRETORIA
0001

25 November 2010