Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE STATE VISIT BY KING JUAN CARLOS I AND QUEEN SOFIA OF SPAIN TO SOUTH AFRICA - 15 TO 18 FEBRUARY 1999
King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain will pay a State Visit to South Africa from 15 to 18 February 1999 at the invitation of President Mandela. Their Majesties will be accompanied by the Spanish Foreign Minister, Mr Abel Matutes, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Tourism and Small and Medium Enterprises, Ms Elena Pisonero, senior government officials, high level business representatives and members of the Spanish media.
King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia will be officially received at Tuynhuys, Cape Town, on 15 February 1999 by President Mandela. The King is scheduled to address parliament and will further meet with Deputy President Mbeki. Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo and his Spanish counterpart will hold bilateral discussions. A State banquet will be hosted by the President in honour of the King and Queen, who will also visit Robben Island.
The visit will enjoy a strong economic focus and a Spanish/South Afircan business seminar is scheduled to take place in Johanesburg on 17 February 1999 with the participation of the King. Senior representatives of approximately forty of the most prominent Spanish companies will be present.
The Spanish Government favours the further expansion of economic relations with South Africa and has expressed its commitment to developing long term bilateral trade and investment releations in the Southern African region.
The total bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to R4876 million in 1998 with the balance in South Africa's favour. Spain is currently South Africa's 12th biggest export market with exports to the value of R2595 million.
Relations between Spain and South Africa are strengthening and a Bilateral Air Servies Agreement as well as an Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments were signed during 1998. Spanish development co-operation with South Africa has focussed on capacity building in South Africa's tourism industry and a feasibility study for the establishment of a Tourism Academy in South Africa has been completed. Spanish companies continue to show a strong interest in spatial development initiatives in South Africa and the region.
On 24 July 1983 President Mandela, then still incarcerated on Robben Island, and King Juan Carlos I were joint recipients of the International Simon Bolivar Prize. All recipients are awarded the prize on the basis of their decisive roles played in promoting democracy, human rights and peace. President Mandela also received the prestigious Principe de Asturias International Cooperation Prize in Spain in 1992. The same prize was bestowed upon Mrs Graca Machel in October 1998.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 7 FEBRUARY 1999