SA, UK to strengthen relations

United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband is currently in the country to strengthen bilateral relations between the UK and South Africa.

7 Jul 2008

He will also attend the 8th Session of the SA-UK Bilateral Forum on Tuesday, 8 July 2008, at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria along with Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

Milliband, who arrived on Sunday, is expected to interact with ANC leaders at Luthuli House and address the next generation outreach event at UNISA.

Milliband is accompanied by five British Deputy Ministers of Foreign and Commonwealth office, Health, International Development, Home office, Culture, Media and Sport, and senior government officials.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs the SA-UK Bilateral Forum will be held with a view to strengthen and consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries within the broad framework of advancing north-south relations.

The UK is South Africa's largest trading partner in Europe.

The South African delegation will include Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Minister of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mphahlwa, Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, Deputy Minister of Sport Gert Oosthuizen and senior government officials.

Issues expected to be discussed during the forum on Tuesday include:

A review of the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries
The desired outcomes of the forthcoming G8 Summit in Japan with a view to the implementation of past G8 commitments to Africa
Economic Partnership Agreement
Food and Energy Security
Forthcoming SA-EU Summit, scheduled for France
Current UN Security Council issues as well as the reform of the UN
The outcomes of the recently concluded African Union Summit in Egypt including Zimbabwe
Peace, Security and conflict resolution issues in Africa
Defence Co-operation with a specific focus on peace keeping
Middle East Peace process including Israeli- Palestinian, Iraq and Iran issues
Health issues
Migration issues between the two countries
WTO and Doha development round issues

The forum was established in 2000 to regulate and enhance political and economic relations between South Africa and the UK, led by President Thabo Mbeki and British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

Milliband is expected to return to Britain on Wednesday.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews