Mbeki leads SA team to Greece
22 February 2005
President Thabo Mbeki leads a high-level team of business and political leaders to Greece this week in order to consolidate and expand political and economic ties between the two countries.
During his three-day trip, starting on Thursday, Mbeki will meet with Hellenic Republic President Constantinos Stephanopoulus, Prime Minister Constantinos Karamanlis, Speaker of Parliament Anna Psarouda-Benaki, and leaders of various political parties.
He will also interact with Greek business leaders, and deliver an address at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy.
The President will be accompanied by a number of business people, as well as Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin and Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Lindiwe Hendriks
According to Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad, Mbeki and Stephanopoulus are expected to exchange views on a wide range of issues, including political
and economic relations, regional developments and global multilateralism.
"It is expected that the two presidents will consider ... the consolidation and expansion of bilateral relations, the operationalisation of the African Union and its institutions, and conflict management, prevention and resolution on the African continent", Pahad said on Monday.
South Africa's imports from Greece were valued at R106-million in 2003, while its exports amounted to R435-million.
"Greece was the largest foreign investor in South Africa for the period 1999 to 2002, with investments valued at R1.6-billion during that time", Pahad said, adding that Greek investors in SA were active in the financial shipping and foodstuffs sectors.
Source: BuaNews
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