South Africa : Dlamini Zuma to lead South African delegation to Argentina

Pretoria - Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Sunday departed for Argentina to attend the Second Session of the South Africa-Argentina Binational Commission.

The Commission is scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ms Dlamini Zuma will join the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Dr Jorge Enrique Taiana, in co-chairing the Binational Commission meeting.

She is also expected to participate in the Binational Commission between South Africa and Argentina within the context of South Africa's commitment to strengthen and consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries while advancing south-south relations.

Strengthening south-south relations is one of government's major priorities.

The pair will discuss the recent political developments in Argentina and South Africa, the status of bilateral relations as well as the outcome of the Bilateral Seminar on "South- Africa/Argentina and Africa/South America, Strengthening the relationship even further.

Other topics include strengthening trade and investment cooperation between South Africa and Argentina, regional developments and inter-regional issues including and multilateral Issues.

Issues of mutual interest include the global food crisis and food management, the energy crisis and impact of global energy (oil and gas) prices on developing countries, the economic and financial crisis and human rights and Argentina's membership of the Human Rights Commission.

These also include non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and peaceful use of nuclear technology and Climate change.

South Africa and Argentina enjoy sound bilateral relations and the various common ideals and objectives of the two governments provide a potential basis for enhanced bilateral relations.

Since democracy in South Africa in 1994 the two countries have signed a number of bilateral agreements to regulate their bilateral relations.

Argentina described its relationship with South Africa as a strategic one and that South Africa is also viewed as Argentina's strategic partner in the development of its relationship with Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. - BuaNews