Media statement on the Third Round of Bilateral Consultations between South Africa and Qatar

Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ebrahim Ebrahim, will lead a South African delegation at the Third Round of Bilateral Consultations between South Africa and Qatar, scheduled to place in Pretoria on Tuesday, 11 October 2011. The Qatar delegation is led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mr Saif Al-Buainain.

During the Bilateral Consultations, an important focus will be to review bilateral relations, follow up on the implementation of decisions taken during the Second Round of Bilateral Consultations that took place in Qatar in August 2010 and to explore further opportunities for cooperation between South Africa and Qatar.

During the interactions, a particular focus would be placed on cooperation in the fields of Arts and Culture, Defence and Security, Energy, Higher Education, Public Works, Social Development and Trade and Investment.

It is also expected that the Bilateral Consultations will present a platform for the two countries to deliberate on current political developments in Africa and the Middle East and ways in which the two countries could work together on issues of peace and security.

Diplomatic relations between South Africa and the State of Qatar were established on 10 May 1994 and strengthened by official visits to Qatar by former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, as well as by visits of several senior South African Cabinet Ministers.

In terms of trade relations, Qatar has traditionally enjoyed a healthy trade surplus, primarily due to its export of crude oil and petrochemicals to South Africa.

MEDIA PROGRAMME

Tuesday, 11 October 2011 
                    
09:55-10:00   Tête-à-tête between Deputy Minister Ebrahim and Assistant Minister Al-Buainain
                      
  Photo Opportunity

10:05-13:00   Third Bilateral Consultations
                       
Order of Proceedings:                

• Opening remarks by Deputy Minister Ebrahim
• Opening remarks by Assistant Minister Al-Buainain
• Media takes leave

13:00   Deputy Minister Ebrahim and Assistant Minister Al-Buainain are conducted to the Media Briefing Room

13:05-13:30  MEDIA BRIEFING

Order of Proceedings:

• Remarks by Deputy Minister Ebrahim
• Remarks by Assistant Minister Al-Buainain
• Q&A Session

Statement by Mr Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for DIRCO

For further information, please contact Nelson Kgwete on 076 608 8567

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria

10 October 2011