§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to make contact with the newly elected South African Government and the new President; and if he will make a statement. [86059]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe UK Government have an extremely close relationship with South Africa's President Mandela. We shall build on this when Thabo Mbeki becomes South Africa's new President.
The Prime Minister has already spoken to Thabo Mbeki to congratulate him and assure him of the UK's continuing commitment to our bilateral relationship. The Deputy Prime Minister will represent the UK Government at the Presidential inauguration in Pretoria on 16 June. We shall sustain the high level ministerial contact when the new South African Government is appointed.
Further visits are already planned: the Secretary of State will accompany Her Majesty The Queen on the State Visit to South Africa on 9–11 November and during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban on 12–14 November, which the Prime Minister will also attend.