The Presidency
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty and South Africa’s Ambassador to Egypt Joseph Mashimbye were also present.
The Spokesman for the Presidency said Mr. Lamola conveyed to the President a message from the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, expressing his appreciation to the President and his keenness to continue developing relations between the two countries.
This was valued by the President, who stressed that Egypt holds in high esteem the historical brotherly relations that bind the two countries and peoples, as well as the continuous contact between the President and President Ramaphosa.
The meeting reviewed ways to enhance and expand bilateral cooperation in all fields, especially in light of the two countries’ membership in the BRICS and their active role regionally and at the level of the African continent.
The meeting also touched on the regional situation and the efforts of both Egypt and South Africa to support the Palestinian issue in all ways. Ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in the region were reviewed, and the international community’s responsibility to move in a unified and decisive manner to take steps to end tension in the region and prevent the expansion of the conflict was emphasized.
The meeting also touched on ways to enhance cooperation between the countries of the South, in light of South Africa’s upcoming presidency of the G20. The President stressed the importance of joint work to put African development priorities on the international agenda, as well as to achieve optimal benefit from the new African Union membership in the G20.
The spokesman added that the meeting also touched on African issues, ways to enhance cooperation through the African Union, and efforts to enhance security and peace in the continent.
Mr.Lamola was keen to confirm his country’s appreciation for the Egyptian role in supporting countries facing crises within Egypt’s regional surroundings as well as at the continental level, whether at the political or humanitarian levels.
The President stressed Egypt welcomed continuing consultation and coordination with South Africa at all levels, with the aim of progressing towards achieving peace, security and development in Africa.
