THE BILATERAL MEETING BETWEEN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTER

16 October 2002

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma arrived in Mexico on Tuesday 15 October 2002 ahead of her bilateral meeting with her Mexican counterpart Dr. Jorge Castaneda where she is expected to promote NEPAD and bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Mexico.

The bilateral meeting, scheduled for Wednesday 16 October 2002, will focus on:

• political relations
• trade relations
• recent high level visits including the visit by Deputy President Jacob Zuma
• and bilateral agreements between the two countries.

Minister Dlamini Zuma and Dr. Castaneda will also have an opportunity to discuss:

• the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
• Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Mechanism for Consultations between the two countries
• Disarmament
• Reform of the United Nations
• and international terrorism

Minister Dlamini Zuma is also scheduled to address the International Women's Forum Conference on Saturday 19 October in Mexico. The International Women's Forum (IWF) has nominated Minister Dlamini Zuma for an award, 'Women Who Make a Difference' for her distinguished role in pioneering legislation, during her tenure as Minister of Health, with a view to changing the quality of lives of ordinary people in the areas of HIV/Aids, primary health care, access to affordable drugs and anti-smoking policy.

In addition the IWF has taken into account the Minister sterling role, as part of the African leadership collective, in efforts to bring about peace and stability in the SADC region in particular and the continent of Africa in general, as a prerequisite for development.

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs