The Diplomat
Spain and South Africa agree on the need to explore the potential for diversifying trade and investment links between the two countries, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the end of the 13th round of bilateral consultations held on Thursday.
The meeting, which was held virtually, was co-chaired by the South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, and the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Ibero-America and the Caribbean, Cristina Gallach.
At the meeting, according to the communiqué, Botes and Gallach expressed their concern about the health crisis and the loss of lives as a result of it. Both reiterated their commitment to redouble collective efforts to address the challenges posed by the pandemic and agreed that “no one is safe until we are all safe”.
The communiqué also noted that, with the aim of expanding bilateral economic relations, it was agreed that greater efforts should be made to expand business opportunities and explore the potential for diversifying trade and investment links between the two countries. “This is expected to contribute to poverty eradication and increased prosperity,” it said.
The consultations were preceded by meetings of the working group on economy, trade and energy and the high-level working group on Human Rights and the United Nations.
In addition, the co-chairs exchanged views on international and regional issues, including the difficult situation in the Cabo Delgado area of Mozambique, Western Sahara, the Sahel, Equatorial Guinea and the Horn of Africa.
Botes and Gallach also discussed, according to the communiqué, the issue of migration and the challenge facing our societies “to ensure that this phenomenon is a safe phenomenon with all the legal guarantees, so that it acts as a positive force for the countries of origin and for the receiving countries”.
South Africa and Spain also reiterated their commitment to strengthen multilateralism and work together to promote peace and prevent conflict, respect international law, promote and protect human rights and ensure greater participation of women in peace operations.
