President Jacob Zuma will this week pay a state visit to France aimed at deepening bilateral political and economic relations with that country.

His visit is at the invitation of the President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy.

Zuma is expected to have consultations with Sarkozy on deepening and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, on developments on the continent of Africa and taking the African Agenda forward, as well as on global and international issues of mutual interest.

France’s Presidency of the G20 and South Africa’s hosting of COP17 is also likely to feature high on the agenda.

Zuma will also have consultations with the French Prime Minister, Francois Fillon. Other major meetings include those with the President of the French Senate, the President of the National Assembly and the Mayor of Paris.

The visit takes place within the context of in support of South Africa’s five national priorities and foreign policy objectives, the consolidation and promotion of the African Agenda, strengthening North-South cooperation and enhancing the role of Africa and the developing world in general in matters of global governance.

A major objective of the visit is to strengthen trade and investment ties with France, and to address the challenge of the significant trade deficit that exists.

Zuma is expected to participate in the South Africa-France Business Forum as well as a remembrance ceremony for Dulcie September, an ANC Representative in France who was brutally murdered in Paris on 29 March 1988 by persons as yet unknown.

The two Presidents are expected to sign an agreement on the New Partnership Framework Document for 2011 to 2013, which is the framework for bilateral development cooperation between South Africa and France.

According to the agreement, the French Development Agency (AFD) will make available approximately Euros1 billion over three years, through various financial mechanisms. A number of AFD funding agreements with South African state-owned enterprises are also expected to be signed.

A new Forum for Economic Dialogue will be launched during the state visit to widen and deepen bilateral consultations on issues of policy and strategic importance and to complement the existing Forum for Political Dialogue.

The President will be supported by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, Finance, Pravin Gordhan, Police, Nathi Mthethwa, and Energy, Dipuo Peters as well as a strong business delegation.

- BuaNews