SA wants closer links with Egypt and Arab League

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Article by: Sapa

Published: 06 Feb 2008

SA wants closer links with Egypt and Arab League

South Africa wants closer relations with Egypt and the League of Arab States, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.

Foreign Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma held various discussions and signed agreements to this effect during a recent official visit to Egypt, said spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa.

Dlamini Zuma paid a courtesy call to President Hosni Mubarak and met with Egyptian Foreign Affairs minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

In their meeting on Sunday, the Foreign Affairs ministers "committed themselves to consolidating bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Egypt".

Dlamini Zuma also held discussions with the Secretary-General of the Arab League Amre Moussa on Monday.
"Minister Dlamini Zuma and Secretary-General Moussa signed an Agreement between South Africa and the League of Arab States to Establish a Diplomatic Mission in South Africa with a view to strengthening relations between South Africa and the Arab League."

Mamoepa said the minister also made a pledge with the Egyptian minister of Trade and Industry Rashid Mohamed Rashid that reciprocal trade missions would visit both countries to identify trade and investment opportunities.

Dlamini Zuma is scheduled to return to SA late on Tuesday, in time to attend the opening of parliament and president Thabo Mbeki's State of the Nation address.