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3 November 2008

Parliaments National Assembly Speaker Ms Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde is scheduled to meet the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg and the President of the Council of States of the Swiss Confederation this week.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg Mr Jean Asselborn is scheduled to make a courtesy visit to Mahlangu-Nkabinde tomorrow (Tuesday, 4 November).

Mr Asselborn arrived in South Africa on Sunday and met in Pretoria today with South Africa's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to discuss a range of political, economic and trade issues related to bilateral relations between Luxembourg and South Africa.

Issues on the agenda included the status of bilateral relations, implementation of the Africa-European Union Strategic Partnership Action Plan, the African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) integration process and comprehensive reform of the United Nations (UN).

On Thursday, 6 November the Speaker will meet President of the Council of States of the Swiss Confederation Mr Christoffel Brändli in the Queens Hall in the National Council of Provinces Wing, where he will sign the distinguished guest's book.

After a working lunch at Parliament, hosted by newly-appointed House Chairperson African National Congress MP Andries Nel, Mr Brändli will go on a guided tour of both houses of Parliament, during which the press will have an opportunity to take photographs.

Mr Brändli will also pay a courtesy call on Parliamentary Leader of the Opposition the Democratic Alliance (DA) Sandra Botha.

He leaves South Africa on Sunday, 9 November 2008.

Issued by: Parliament of Republic of South Africa
3 November 2008
Source: Parliament of Republic of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za)