22 MAY 2008
ANC President Jacob Zuma held a meeting earlier this morning (22 May 2008) with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
The courtesy visit by Mr Zuma followed a meeting held between the two during President SarkozyÕs recent visit to South Africa.
In their discussions today, the two leaders welcomed the good relations between France and South Africa, and the commitment by both countries to further develop a relationship of mutual respect and cooperation.
Among other matters, the leaders discussed the need for the transformation of multilateral international institutions to better represent and serve the interests of developing countries. They agreed to work together to promote the position of Africa within the global community.
Addressing media after the meeting, Mr Zuma welcomed the decision to deploy the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to provide support to the police in areas affected by violence. He said that government should take whatever measures it considered necessary to protect lives.
Mr Zuma is passing through Paris at the end of a three-day visit to London, and will arrive back in Johannesburg tomorrow (Friday, 23 May).
22 May 2008
For more information, contact Jessie Duarte on 079 506 6756
or Tiyani Rikhotso ON 079 879 7974