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10 Jul 2009

L’Aquila, Italy: President Jacob Zuma wrapped up his visit to Italy for the G8 summit with a meeting with US President Barack Obama this afternoon (10 July 2009).

In their first face-to-face meeting, Presidents Zuma and Obama discussed, among other things, strengthening relations between South Africa and the United States, efforts to resolve conflict and advance development on the African continent, and nuclear non-proliferation.

President Zuma took part in a number of meetings held during the course of the G8 Summit.

This included a meeting of the G5 developing countries, comprised of Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. The meeting reached agreement on a number of matters relating to the current economic crisis, food security, climate change and relations between countries of the North and South. This was followed by a joint meeting of the G5 and G8 countries.

President Zuma led the South African delegation in the Major Economic Forum discussions on trade and climate change. The summit ended this morning with a meeting of G8 countries and invited African countries to look at the impact of the economic crisis and international food security.

President Zuma held a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. These included meetings with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick, and President Obama.

President Zuma arrives back in South Africa on Saturday, 11 July 2009.

Queries:
Steyn Speed
Tel: 082 572 7304

Issued by: The Presidency
10 July 2009

Issued by: The Presidency
10 Jul 2009

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