Pretoria- International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, will jet off to Washington this week in efforts to enhance partnership and cooperation between South Africa and the United States of America.
Nkoana-Mashabane will meet with her counterpart, US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton. This will be their first meeting under the auspices of the Strategic Dialogue which was established in April this year.
The Minister will work to strengthen ties in line with the South African Government's identified domestic priorities, and to increase engagement and cooperation on global issues of mutual concern according to the department of International Relations and Cooperation.
"Health cooperation will also be highlighted during the visit where the US has partnered significantly with SA in its fight against HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases.
"The two Foreign Ministers will be signing the Pepfar Partnership Framework, which is aimed at harmonising development assistance through the South African Government to improve efficiency and long-term sustainability in the fight against HIV/AIDS," it said.
The theme of this year's Strategic Dialogue, which takes place from 11 to 14 December, will be "South Africa: Open for Business" and discussions on how the US and South Africa can cooperate further to promote mutually beneficial trade and investment will take place.
Education and agriculture in the context of rural development and food security will be explored as possible areas for expanded cooperation it added.
During the SA-US Annual Bilateral Forum held in May this year, which precedes the Strategic Dialogue, various Working Groups were established to map out ways in which to strengthen cooperation in the priority areas on an operational level.
During this visit, these Working Groups will also meet with their counterparts preceding the Ministerial meeting to record their progress to date, and report to the Minister and Secretary in this regard.
