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President Mbeki will depart for the United Kingdom on a State Visit on the 11 June. The annual Bilateral Forum which will take place within the programme of the State Visit will further cement the strategic partnership between SA and the UK.

The President will be accompanied by the following Ministers:

Minister Dlamini Zuma: Foreign Affairs
Minister Erwin: Trade and Industry
Minister Mlambo-Ngcuka: Minerals and Energy
Minister Asmal: Education
Minister Lekota: Defence
Minister Didiza: Agriculture and Land Affairs
Minister Balfour: Sport and Recreation
Minister Essop Pahad: The Presidency

The well-established relationship between the ruling parties, and the existing good rapport between President Mbeki and Prime Minister Tony Blair served as a firm foundation to cement bilateral ties between the two countries. The formation of the SA-UK Bilateral Forum formalised this relationship. Both bilateral political and trade relations between the two countries are facilitated by common thinking on a wide range of issues.

The UK is one of SA's top three foreign trading partners and trade between the two countries is at the centre of relations between the two countries. Latest figures show that in 2000, the first year of the EU-South Africa Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement, the value of trade in goods between the UK and South Africa rose to £ 4 billion, an increase of 40% over the preceding year. An Investment Conference will also be held, which will consolidate existing bilateral trade and explore avenues for further investments. The Minister of Trade and Industry will be accompanied by a mixed business delegation who will also explore small to medium enterprise development between the two countries.

A wide range of issues will discussed which will include an update on MAP and an exploration of how the UK, as a strategic partner, could contribute to the programme for economic and social renewal on the continent. Co-operation in terms of resolving the conflicts on the continent will be discussed as well as the progress of integration in the region. SA has some valuable lessons it will offer the UK in terms of successfully combating agricultural related diseases and land redistribution and will explore strategies for food security. Further education and justice co-operation will also be discussed on a bilateral level.

In terms of multilateral co-operation, there is like-mindedness on a number of issues. The resurgence of the next WTO round as well as the financial architecture reform to ensure equal participation and enhanced reward from globalisation for developing countries will be high on the agenda. Reform of the UN and other multilateral institutions, which will address fairer participation in these institutions by the South, will also be discussed. SA also wishes to explore creative ways of increasing the dialogue between the North and South with the UK as an important multilateral player.

Ministers will largely follow separate bilateral programmes with their counterparts which will enhance co-operation between the two countries, resulting in maximum returns for the people of South Africa.

Enquiries contact:

Bheki Khumalo on 083 256 9133
Jennifer Jean Chetty on 012-337 5226/082 411 0307

Issued by: The Presidency, 7 June 2001