President Zuma to receive Uk Prime Minister Cameron on a Working Visit To South Africa

President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Zuma will receive United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron on a Working Visit to South Africa scheduled for 18 July 2011 in Pretoria.

The Working Visit takes place within the context of deepening, strengthening and broadening further the already strong relations between South Africa and the new Coalition Government of the United Kingdom. The Working Visit to South Africa by Prime Minister Cameron follows on a successful State Visit by President Zuma to the United Kingdom in 2010; the subsequent SA-UK Bilateral Forum; and the eventual adoption of the Strategy of Cooperation between the two countries.

The central thrust of the Working Visit by Prime Minister Cameron to South Africa is to explore commercial opportunities and to see how best to support the Africa Free Trade Initiative. Furthermore, the Visit will afford the British Prime Minister and the South African President with an opportunity to craft a mutual beneficial strategy that will ensure SA and the UK work together at national, regional and international levels in various fields, key amongst which will be sustainable development; peace and security; good governance and other socio-economic issue.

In this regard, it is expected that the focal point of the deliberations will include, amongst others:

• How South Africa and the United Kingdom could work together to build strong, sustainable, open and inclusive economies which promote national economic stability, regional and international growth, and bilateral business;
• Hold discussions on the realization of safe and secure societies, which prioritizes the prevention and combating of crime in all its manifestation, counter terrorism and weapons proliferation, including reducing conflict and other threats to human security;
• Regional support by Britain which, it is hoped will be focused on increasing intra and inter regional trade in Africa;
• A briefing by President Zuma on progress, so-far made in respect of the creation of the Tripartite Free Trade Area between SADC, COMESA and ECA, as well as South Africa’s leadership on the North-South corridor infrastructure; and
• At the Multilateral level, the call for the reform of Institutions of Global Governance and the promotion of a stronger rules-based international system that promotes equity, democracy, human rights, cultural diversity, and deals with poverty reduction.

Prime Minister Cameron will be accompanied by the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Lord Green of Hurstepierpoint and Secretary of State for International Development, Mr Andrew Mitchell as well as a large high-level business delegation.

President Zuma will be supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Rob Davies; and Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan.

For further information please contact Mr Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for DIRCO, on 082 884 5974.

Issued by the Department Of International Relations and Cooperation

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Pretoria

15 JULY 2011