DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola hosted Ukrainian Foreign Minister during his visit to South Africa, further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. The meeting was held in Pretoria on Tuesday and was hailed as a successful one by both parties.
Minister Lamola welcomed the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, to South Africa and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and explore areas of mutual cooperation between the two nations. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, and other senior officials from both countries.
In his opening remarks, Minister Lamola highlighted the historical ties between South Africa and Ukraine, dating back to the early 1990s when diplomatic relations were established. He also commended the strong political and economic ties between the two countries and expressed his desire to further strengthen these ties through increased trade and investment.
The two ministers engaged in discussions on a wide range of topics, including trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, and education. Minister Lamola emphasized the potential for increased trade and investment between the two countries, noting that there are many opportunities for cooperation in various sectors. He also highlighted South Africa’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investors and encouraged Ukrainian businesses to explore the potential of the South African market.
Both ministers also recognized the importance of agriculture in their respective countries and discussed the possibility of cooperation in this sector. Minister Kuleba expressed his country’s interest in learning from South Africa’s successful land reform program and the use of modern technologies in agriculture. He also extended an invitation to South African farmers and experts to visit Ukraine and share their knowledge and expertise.
On the topic of tourism, Minister Lamola emphasized the need for increased people-to-people interactions between the two countries. He highlighted South Africa’s rich and diverse culture, as well as its natural beauty, which attracts millions of tourists each year. He encouraged Ukrainian tourists to visit South Africa and experience all that the country has to offer.
The two ministers also discussed the need for increased cooperation in the field of education. Minister Kuleba expressed his country’s interest in sending more students to South Africa to study in various fields, while Minister Lamola welcomed this proposal and expressed South Africa’s willingness to share its expertise and knowledge with Ukrainian students.
In his closing remarks, Minister Lamola expressed his appreciation for the warm and fruitful discussions and emphasized the need for regular high-level engagements between the two countries to further strengthen their relations. He also extended an invitation to Minister Kuleba to visit South Africa again in the near future.
Minister Kuleba, in turn, thanked Minister Lamola and the South African government for their hospitality and reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to strengthening its ties with South Africa. He also expressed his country’s interest in deepening cooperation in various fields and looked forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.
The meeting between the two ministers was a significant step towards further strengthening the bilateral relations between South Africa and Ukraine. It demonstrated the commitment of both countries to work together towards achieving common goals and creating a better future for their citizens.
In conclusion, the visit of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister to South Africa was a successful one, resulting in fruitful discussions and the exploration of new areas of cooperation between the two nations. With both countries committed to deepening their ties, it is evident that the future holds great potential for a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between South Africa and Ukraine.
