The Spanish Secretary-General for Foreign Policy and the European Union (alternate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs), Mr Carlos Bastarreche, will pay a working visit to South Africa from 19 - 22 January 2000.
Mr Bastarreche will arrive on Tuesday evening, 18 January 2000 and will meet on Wednesday, 19 January 2000 with the Deputy Ministers of Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mineral and Energy Affairs and Arts, Culture, Science & Technology.
Mr Aziz Pahad, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs will host Mr Bastarreche on Thursday, 20 January 2000 for in depth bilateral discussions and a working lunch. This meeting will take place in the context of the Declaration of Intent that was signed between the South African and Spanish Ministers of Foreign Affairs during the state visit of King Juan Carlos to South Africa in February 1999. This Declaration makes provision for "regular political dialogue with high level meetings which could take place as an when agreed upon, alternatively in Madrid and Pretoria".
Several matters of mutual interest will be discussed, inter alia the status of bilateral relations between the two countries, economic relations including the South African/European Union Trade and Development Agreement, as well as issues pertaining to Africa and the United Nations.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
17 JANUARY 2000