Issued by: The Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE OFFICIAL VISIT BY PRESIDENT MANDELA TO THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC - 16 TO 18 JUNE 1998
President Mandela will be paying an official visit to Italy from 16 to 18 June 1998, at the invitation of President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro of Italy.
The President will be accompanied by Ms Josina Machel, daughter of Ms Graca Machel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alfred Nzo, the Director General in the Office of the President, Prof. Jakes Gerwel and other senior Government officials.
The visit will be the President's first visit to Italy since he assumed office. He is scheduled to hold talks with his Italian counterpart, President Scalfaro, Prime Minister Romano Prodi, the Chairperson of the Italian Senate, Senator Nicola Mancino, the Chairperson of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Mr Luciano Violante, and the Mayor of Rome.
South Africa and Italy enjoy excellent political and economic relations. There is also a vibrant Italian community living in South Africa, active in business, cultural and other important fields.
Italy ranks as South Africa's fifth largest trading partner. The total trade amounted to approximately R 8 billion in 1997. Italian companies are increasingly investing in South Africa.
Recently prominent companies such as Fiat and Parmalat invested in South Africa. There has also been an interest in privatisation of South African companies by Italian companies as illustrated by the award of the tender to Aeroporti di Roma as strategic equity partner in the South African Airports Company.
South African exports to Italy increased by 26% in 1997 (the non-commodities sector included). Italy will soon be involved in assisting small and medium sized business development in South Africa.
President Mandela, while visiting Italy, will use the opportunity to pay an official visit to the Vatican where he will be received by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II for a Pontifical Audience, as well as His Eminence, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State of the Holy See.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 12 JUNE 1998