Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has touched down in the United Kingdom (UK) for a two-day visit which will look at the African agenda and the country's bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council (UNSC).
The working visit, which is expected to strengthen the North-South cooperation, will see meetings between Motlanthe and his counterpart, Nick Clegg and new Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham.
"The meetings aim to establish relations with the new coalition government and to broaden the current bilateral relations South Africa enjoys with the UK," the Presidency said on Tuesday.
During the meetings, Motlanthe will raise several issues which will include developments in the African continent and the promotion of the African agenda as a cornerstone of South Africa's foreign policy.
The Deputy President will also use the visit as an opportunity to garner support for South Africa's bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the 2011-12 period, while building on the success of the state visit that took place this year in March and maintaining the momentum for the UK-SA Bilateral Forum to be held early in 2011.
While in the country, Motlanthe is expected to address The Economist's Emerging Markets Summit.
Motlanthe will be accompanied by Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and International Relations and Co-operation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim.
The Finance Minister is expected to participate in a panel discussion entitled: "The New BRICS - Who is climbing the economic ladder?"
Minister Gordhan will also meet with a few investors, while Shabangu will meet key stakeholders in the mining sector to clarify South Africa's mining laws and address whatever concerns they may have.
