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Clinton will visit South Africa and hold the strategic dialogue with the South African officials on August 7, discussing a series of issues of mutual interest, spokesperson of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Co-operation Clayson Monyela said on Sunday.
“The bilateral relations between South Africa and the US are strong, and the US administration is interested in partnering with South Africa domestically and regionally,” said the spokesperson.
The news came only several days following Deputy President of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe concluded his visit to the United States on July 24.
While attending the international Aids conference in the United States, Motlanthe expressed his appreciation to the US government for its support to South Africa in its efforts to fight Aids, urging the US government to continue its support to South Africa.
In June 2010 Vice US President Joe Biden visited South Africa, meeting with Motlanthe and other high-ranking officials.
Besides political ties, South Africa is also strengthening its trade relationship with the United States.
On June 18 South Africa Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and US Trade Representative Ron Kirk signed a trade and investment framework agreement.
Kirk said:
“The agreement will not only help to increase and diversify trade between the two countries, but it will promote new US investment that is critical to South Africa’s economic development.”
The United States is currently South Africa’s third largest trading partner, with total two-way trade between the two countries reaching US$22 billion in 2011.
In 2011, South African exports to the United States valued at US$9,5 billion, increasing by 15,7 percent from 2010.
South Africa is also seeking steady advancement in military co-operation between the two countries.
Early this month, a delegation of the South African National Defence Force visited the US National Guard bases to exchange the experiences in logistics.
“By working with our counterparts in the South African National Defence Force, the National Guard is helping to foster better relations on the African continent,” said an officer of the US National Guard.
On May 25 a US navy warship docked at Simons Town for a port visit and joint exercises in South Africa.
South Africa is the largest economic entity on the African continent while the United States is the world’s largest economy.
As the global economy slows down, South Africa is expected to seek more co-operation with the United States in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Nyasa Times reports that Secretary Clinton will visit Malawi on August 5.
Though the visit had not been officially announced by the US government, a Malawi government official said preparations were at an advanced stage for the visit.
“Malawi will host US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on August 5,” said a top Malawian official on Sunday.
Clinton will become the first top US official to visit Malawi since the country attained multi-party democracy.
She will meet President Mrs Joyce Banda to demonstrate US support for her government’s democratic reforms since the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika in April.
Malawi is seeking US and other donor support to help her recover from economic challenges.
Clinton will also pay visits to Nigeria and also visit Cote d’Ivoire. — Xinhua/Nyasa Times.
Online Reporter