JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Dec 3, SPA -- President Thabo Mbeki travels to Washington this week for political and economic talks with U.S. President George W. Bush. The two leaders will meet Friday to discuss conflictresolution and peacekeeping in Africa, World TradeOrganization negotiations and South Africa's role at theU.N. after it was elected to one of the Security Council'snon-permanent seats. Mbeki also hopes to discuss ways that world powers, such as the Group of Eight, can support Africa, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa. Mbeki will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma at the talks. Mamoepa said the economic relationship between the two countries «remains strong with continuing U.S. interest in investment.» U.S. trade and investment in South Africa totaled 60billion rands (US$8.3 billion, ¤6.3 billion) for the yearending March 2006, an increase of about 11 percent from the previous year. Mamoepa said South Africa has, in the past decade, been a major recipient of development assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Activities under this partnership will reach over 827,700 individuals with basic services in 2006, he said. The U.S. is also focussing on stimulating economic growth and small, medium and micro enterprise development. Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa Saturday, the Associated Press reported.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/408257