Pretoria - Both President Jacob Zuma and his deputy Kgalema Motlanthe will be out of the country this week, as they try to further strengthen relations with other countries.
At the invitation of King Harald and Queen Sonja, President Zuma will leave the country today to pay his first state visit to Norway on Wednesday.
Talks during the two-day state visit will also focus on SA's preparations for the United Nations conference on climate change in Durban in November, the Presidency said in a statement.
His programme includes meeting representatives of Norway's former anti-apartheid organisations, delivering a lecture at the Nobel Peace Institute and addressing a business seminar organised by the South African Department of Trade and Industry and Innovation Norway.
Norway's King Harald V paid a state visit to South Africa in 2009, and Zuma's reciprocal visit this week is intended to further strengthen relations between the two countries, described by the Presidency as "strong and unique" owing to Norway's practical and financial support during the struggle against apartheid.
"The relationship at a government-to-government level has continued to flourish after the dawn of freedom. Currently, the relationship has progressed and covers development cooperation and trade between the two countries. Development cooperation covers sectors such as energy, higher education, research, environment, democracy and promotion of human rights," the Presidency said.
Trade between South Africa and Norway has steadily increased in value, from R746 million in 2005 to R3.18 billion last year.
South Africa wanted to see a further increase in trade volumes and also wants Norway's support for COP 17 and various multilateral and African agenda issues, the Presidency said. Co-operation on development covers sectors including energy, higher education, research, the environment, democracy and the promotion of human rights.
Zuma will be accompanied by International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.
Meanwhile, the Deputy President departs today to Guinea-Bissau for a one-day working visit.
Motlanthe and his counterpart Carlos Gomes Junior will deliberate on various bilateral technical cooperation initiatives in the areas of health, education, human resource development and security.
The visit will provide a platform for the two countries to reaffirm their commitment to implement a bilateral programme of cooperation agreed under the Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC), which was initiated in August 2008.
Motlanthe will also use the visit to reiterate South Africa's support for ongoing political and military reforms of the government of President Sanha.
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe will be acting president in their absence, a Presidency statement said.
