Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
18 June 2002
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will hold discussions with the Danish and British Foreign Ministers Per Stig Moller and Jack Straw respectively on Wednesday and Thursday 19-20 June in Copenhagen and London as part of preparations for the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).
Denmark will assume the presidency of the EU with effect from July 2002 and is expected to play and important role in the WSSD process. In this regard, Minister Dlamini Zuma, Per Stig Moller and Jack Straw are expected to review the IV WSSD Preparatory Committee meeting held recently in Bali.
Minister Dlamini Zuma's visit to Copenhagen and London should also be seen in the context of the need to mobilise support for attendance of the Summit by world leaders.
Critical to note is that the WSSD will take place in the context of a development dividend characterised by increasing poverty and growing gaps between the rich and the poor.
The EU has shown support during the preparatory process for strong agreements and time-bound actions on such areas as poverty eradication, water, energy, sanitation and development initiatives for Africa.
While in the UK, Minister Dlamini Zuma will also attend the SS Mendi Memorial Celebrations in honour of the 670 African victims whose ship was accidentally sunk by an allied ship on 21 February 1917 during World War 1.
Organised under the theme "Reconciliation and the sin! of SS Mendi-turning Tragedy into Blessing", the celebrations will take place from 21-24 June in the UK in the form of a Welcome Reception, the Service of Reconciliation, the Service of Thanksgiving and the Service of Remembrance.
For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853