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16 July 2008

Pretoria: South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will on Thursday, 17 July 2008 host his Iranian counterpart Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs Mohammad Reza Baqeri for political, economic and trade discussions at the Lombardy Hotel in Pretoria.

The discussions between Deputy Ministers Pahad and Baqeri will lay the basis for the tenth South Africa–Iran Joint Bilateral Commission that will be co-chaired by Minister Dlamini Zuma and Mr Hossein Samsani, the Iranian Acting Minister of Economy and Finance in Tehran, Iran from Saturday to Sunday, 2 to 3 August 2008.

Deputy Minister Pahad will hold discussions with Iranian counterpart within the context of South Africa's priority to consolidate political, economic and trade relations with Iran whilst strengthening South- South co-operation.

Issues on the agenda of discussions between Deputy Ministers Pahad and Baqeri are expected to include, among others:
* the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries
* an exchange of views on international and regional issues, including the Middle East, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan
* a briefing by Deputy Minister Pahad on developments on the African continent and the outcomes of the recently concluded African Union (AU) Summit
* nuclear non-proliferation
* global governance including the comprehensive reform of the United Nations (UN,
* regional co-operation including within the Non-Aligned Movement, the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation and the New Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership and
* a review of the decisions taken during the ninth Meeting of the South Africa-Iran Joint Commission held in Pretoria on 21 and 22 August 2006.

Bilateral Economic Relations
Several South African companies are involved in major projects in Iran. Sasol is participating in a US$900-million Iranian polymer joint venture, construction of which is now well advanced. The project, which will produce ethylene as well as high- and low-density poly-ethylene, will be launched formally during the first half of 2008 and will increase the group's polymer production by 300 000 t/y. Sasol is in a 50:50 joint venture with the Iranian state-owned petrochemicals company, Pars Petrochemicals Company (PPC). The joint venture is known as the Arya Sasol Polymer Company.

MTN has a 49 percent stake in the Iran Cell consortium which was awarded the second mobile telecommunications licence in Iran. It started operations in October 2006.

Media programme for incoming visit by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for African affairs Mohammad Reza Baqeri

Thursday, 17 July 2008
11h30: Arrival of media ahead of discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and Deputy Minister Mohammad Reza Baqeri
Venue: Lombardy Hotel, 4 Lynnwood Road, Tweefontein, Pretoria East
(Please RSVP)

Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587

12h00: Commencement of discussions between Deputy Ministers Pahad and Baqeri
Photo opportunity and opening remarks

15h00 Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by Deputy Ministers Pahad and Baqeri on conclusion of discussions
Venue: Lombardy Hotel, 4 Lynnwood Road, Tweefontein, Pretoria East
(Please RSVP)

Contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587

15h30: Joint press conference

For further information contact:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587

Enquiries:
Contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
16 July 2008