Motlanthe concludes Nordic visit

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has concluded his working visit to the Nordic countries, the presidency said on Tuesday.

Motlanthe's visit started in Sweden last week, when he participated in a bi-national commission, spokesman Thabo Masebe said in a statement.

He then proceeded to Denmark for meetings with Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

During the visit, political and economic relations were strengthened, said Masebe.

Earlier, problems with his aircraft delayed Motlanthe's official visit, which meant he had to miss the Finland leg of the trip.

The SA Airforce-operated aircraft encountered problems. Motlanthe left a day later on a commercial airline.

Motlanthe would arrive back in South Africa on Tuesday, said Masebe.

He was accompanied on his visit by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, International Relations Deputy Minister Marius Fransman, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Thandi Tobias-Pokolo, and Higher Education Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize.