Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
3 April 2000
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma arrived in Cairo in the early morning of 02 March 2000, to attend the Africa/Europe Summit under the aegis of the Organisation of Africa Unity and the European Union. The Minister is accompanied by the Director General, Mr Sipho Pityana, the South African Ambassador to Ethiopia and the OAU, Mr Kingsley Mamabolo, the Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr Frank Mdlalose, the Deputy Director General for Africa, Mr Welile Nhlapho, the Chief Director of Protocol, Ambassador Bill Modise and other officials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry.
Minister Dlamini-Zuma and her delegation attended an OAU Foreign Ministers’ preparatory meeting, which took place at 11:00, at the Cairo International Conference Centre. Thereafter, on the same day, Minister Dlamini-Zuma attended the joint Africa/European Foreign Ministers' Meeting which took place at 12:00.
The issues which were discussed to both meetings were in the main, the debt cancellation and the mechanism for its follow-up. In her input to the joint Africa/Europe Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Minister Dlamini-Zuma said that it is important for both Africa and Europe to look into the question of debt with a degree of urgency and commitment: "Our objective is to develop a new strategic dimension, which seeks to alleviate/eradicate poverty. We appreciate initiatives from the bilateral and multilateral creditors to reduce Africa’s external debt. However, the impact of such initiatives does not meet the desired objective. For example, between 1996 and 1998, Africa’s total debt has increased from $US340,6 billion to US$350,1 billion. The latter figure accounts for 65,5 per cent of Africa’s total GDP".
Minister Dlamini-Zuma further said that, "the impact of the debt has been the inability of African economies to generate enough domestic savings and investments which they need to regenerate their economies. The challenge facing Africa is socio-economic development and our failure here would lead to dire consequences in other areas like good governance, peace and stability".
For more information contact please Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell No : 082-990-4853