SA response to spy allegations. The South African Government has noted with concern various reports following a story published by the Guardian newspaper in the UK on allegations of spying on G20 country Ministers and senior officials. We do not yet have the full benefit of details reported on but in principle we would condemn the abuse of privacy and basic human rights particularly if it emanates from those who claim to be democrats.

President Zuma congratulates the President-Elect of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His Excellency President Jacob Zuma has today congratulated Mr Hassan Rouhani, who was elected as the new President of the Islamic Republic of Iran on 14 June 2013. Mr Rouhani won more than fifty per cent of the votes, rendering a second round of voting unnecessary. He will succeed Mr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as President of Iran in August 2013.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane concludes successful visit to Finland. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has concluded a successful working visit to the Republic of Finland, where she participated in the 13th Africa-Nordic Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held in the Finnish town of Hameenlinna.

South Africa expresses concern about the deterioration in relations between Sudan and South Sudan. The South African Government has noted with concern the recently deteriorating relations between Sudan and South Sudan. This follows  President Omer Hasan Al-Bashir’s pronouncement on the  halting  of oil flow from South Sudan to Sudan within 60 days as a response to what Sudan consider to be violations of the Joint Cooperation Agreement  signed  in September 2012.

Bilateral Consultations between Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa and Mr. Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, 12 June 2013, Brussels. HE Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa had bilateral consultations with HE Mr. Didier Reynders Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium on 12 June 2013 in Brussels.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane concludes working visit to Belgium, proceeds to Finland. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has concluded a successful visit to Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday, 11 June 2013. On Monday, 10 June, 2013, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane met with Baroness Catherine Ashton, the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is also the Vice-President of the European Commission, for the 12th SA-EU Ministerial Political Dialogue (MPD).

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 12 June 2013. Cabinet’s position on prominent issues in the current environment - Cabinet wishes President Nelson Mandela a speedy recovery and reassures the nation that he is receiving the best medical care. Cabinet is pleased that he is responding well to treatment and reiterates the request for the media and the public to respect the privacy of the former President and his family during this period.

Statement by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, on international developments, 07 June 2013, OR Tambo Building. In our briefing today, we will focus on a number of important matters relating to our work, including (1) OAU/AU Golden Jubilee, (2) the outcomes of the recent TICAD-V Summit; and our visit to several countries in Europe. On behalf of the Government and People of South Africa, I would like to express the South African Government’s strongest condemnation of the recent attacks and killing of Somali and other foreign nationals in our country.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to brief media on international developments

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, will address the media on international developments, including the upcoming SADC Summit, developments in Swaziland, updates on the Central African Republic, outcomes of the AU and TICAD-V Summit.

Remarks by President Jacob Zuma on the occasion of the presentation of credentials by Heads of Mission accredited to South Africa, 6 June 2013. On behalf of the people, and the Government of South Africa, please allow me, Your Excellencies, to extend a warm welcome to you all. In the past few years, our country has witnessed an increasing number of diplomatic representations by our partners from all corners of the world.

Address by President Jacob Zuma to the Japan National Press Club, Tokyo, 4 June 2013. I bring to you all, the warmest greetings from South Africa. I am deeply grateful to the Japan National Press Club, for providing this opportunity. We also wish to thank the Government of Japan and His Excellency Prime Minister Abe for the kind hospitality accorded to myself and the members of the South African delegation. I am sure I echo the sentiments of my delegation when I say to you that we have enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Japanese people!

His Excellency President Jacob Zuma’s intervention during the TICAD-V Summit, Japan. The year 2013 marks 50 years since the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), today known as the African Union. For us, this is a time to reflect how far we have come as a Continent in addressing problems that affect us, especially those related to our peace and security.

Budget Vote Speech by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, H.E. Ms Maite Nkoana Mashabane, at the National Assembly, Cape Town, 30 May 2013. A few days ago, President Jacob Zuma was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the OAU/AU – our Pan-African organization founded in 1963 for promoting our unity in diversity, strengthening our solidarity, and building on our common history and shared values.

Budget Vote Speech by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Marius Fransman, to the National Assembly, Cape Town, 30 May 2013. As our foreign policy approaches its 20th Anniversary next year, it is critical that we fully assess the progress made in respect of our international relations agenda.  It is appropriate that we evaluate the impact of our engagements against the agenda we have placed before us.  In her address, our Minister did justice to that.

Budget Vote Speech by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim I Ebrahim, to the National Assembly, Cape Town, 30 May 2013. Our foreign policy of Ubuntu expresses the desire for others to also have what we want for ourselves. South Africa’s foreign policy, like that of any other state, is a projection of our domestic imperatives. Through our foreign policy, we project South Africa’s vast opportunities as an investment destination of choice, as a world-class tourist destination, and as an exporter of quality goods and services.

South Africa expresses concern over the human rights situation in Syria. The Syrian conflict has been raging for well over two years with devastating humanitarian consequences in terms of massive loss of life of innocent people and the accompanying wanton destruction of both property and resources.

President Zuma to undertake a Working Visit to Japan and to participate in the TICAD V Summit. The President of the Republic of South Africa, H. E. Mr Jacob Zuma, will undertake a visit to Japan to participate in the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-V) Summit to be held in Yokohama, Japan on 01-03 June 2013. This will be followed by a Working Visit on 04 June 2013.

Cocktail hosted by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane

Members of the media are invited to a media cocktail to be hosted by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. The cocktail takes place on the eve of the Minister's Budget Vote Speech to Parliament.

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 29 May 2013. Cabinet’s position on prominent issues in the current environment - Cabinet calls on communities to be vigilant against the possible resurgence of criminal violence targeting foreign nationals.  Cabinet is cautious not to label this violence as xenophobia because preliminary evidence indicates that these acts may be driven primarily by criminality.

President Zuma to lead a South African delegation to the AU Summit. The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, will lead the South African delegation to the 21st Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, scheduled to take place on 26 and 27 May 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Summit coincides with the historic 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Organisation of African Unity/ African Union, which will take place from 24 to 27 May.

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor-General of Canada Keynote Address at the University of Witwatersrand on Canada-South Africa Relations Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Let me begin by offering greetings and best wishes on behalf of all Canadians. It is truly an honour to be invited to speak on the subject of Canada-South Africa relations at this impressive university.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane participates in the Executive Council of the AU. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), scheduled for 22-23 May 2013. The Executive Council Meeting, which is at Ministerial level, is taking place ahead of the AU Summit on 24-26 May 2013.

President Zuma sends condolences to the USA following devastating tornado. The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, has, on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, expressed condolences to the government and the people of the United States of America (USA) following a devastating tornado that has ripped through parts of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Deputy Minister Fransman to visit Astana, Kazakhstan. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Marius Fransman will lead a South African delegation to Astana, Kazakhstan for bilateral discussions. The visit, scheduled for 22-24 May 2013, coinceds with the V1 Astana Economic Forum.