Issued by: SA Communication Service
MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, MR ERIK DERYCKE
Mr Erik Derycke, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, will pay an official visit to South Africa from 8 to 12 November 1997, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo. He will be accompanied by a number of senior officials from his Ministry.
Minister Derycke will hold discussions concerning bilateral and other issues of mutual interest with Minister Nzo on 10 November 1997. Following these discussions, the Media is invited to a press conference at 12:00 at the Diplomatic Guesthouse, 201 Matroosberg Road, Waterkloof Heights. Mr Derycke will also be visiting both Gauteng and the Cape Province, which will include meetings with Belgian investors and a guided tour of Robben Island.
This visit by the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs will further strengthen the extensive bilateral relations between the two countries. Belgium is one of the major foreign investors in South Africa with investments exceeding R 2 billion, as most of the large Belgium corporations have fixed investments in this country. South Africa and Belgium have very strong cultural links demonstrated by the fact that more than 40 000 Belgian citizens are resident in South Africa, making South Africa the "home of the largest number of Belgians outside of Belgium".
This is the third time Minister Erik Derycke will be visiting South Africa.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA 6 NOVEMBER 1997