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South Africa, Sweden to hold bilateral discussions

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-12 17:11

JOHANNESBURG -- South African Deputy President Baleka Mbete is to hold bilateral political, trade and economic discussions with Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Maud Olofsson the South African foreign affairs department said on Monday.

The meeting, to be held on Monday at the Union Buildings, seeks to achieve Swedish support of the African Agenda and to promote economic relations with special emphasis on investment.

"Deputy President Mbete will participate in the meeting within the context of South Africa's commitment to strengthening its bilateral relations with Sweden by amongst others consolidating the outcomes of the 2007 Bi-National Commission (BNC)," said the department in a statement.

Olofsson, who was on a private holiday in Gauteng and the Western Cape, requested the meeting with Mbete to establish contact as they are the co-chairs of the South African-Swedish BNC.

South Africa and Sweden have enjoyed close relations. Sweden and other Nordic countries provided crucial support to the anti-apartheid struggle, the foreign affairs department said.