Media Statement

19 May 2023

Minister Pandor concludes successful Official Visit to Portugal

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has concluded her successful Official Visit to Lisbon, Portugal, where she met her counterpart, João Gomes Cravinho, for bilateral talks.

Ministers Pandor and Cravinho reviewed the state of bilateral relations between South Africa and Portugal, noting with satisfaction that the two countries enjoy strong relations at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

The two Ministers discussed preparations for the upcoming State Visit to South Africa by the President of Portugal, His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The State Visit is scheduled to take place during June 2023.

In their discussions, the Ministers noted that South Africa and Portugal collaborate in a number of sectors, such as basic and higher education, science and technology, defence as well as trade and investment.

Portugal is an important trade and investment partner of South Africa. South African exports to Portugal in 2021 were valued at approximately R2,8 billion, while imports from Portugal were valued at R4,6 billion in the same year.

There are approximately 500,000 South Africans of Portuguese descent and about 200,000 Portuguese nationals who reside in South Africa.

Minister Pandor also met representatives of Portuguese companies operating in South Africa. The Minister outlined the steps being taken by government to ensure that South Africa maintains its position as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment. Minister Pandor also met the Mayor of the City of Lisbon, Mr Carlos Manuel Félix Moedas.

Minister Pandor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, HE Dmytro Kuleba, took advantage of their presence in Lisbon to hold talks at the Ukrainian Embassy. Minister Pandor briefed Minister Kuleba about the envisaged mission to Kiev and Moscow by a committee of six African Heads of State and Government, amongst them President Cyril Ramaphosa. Minister Kuleba told Minister Pandor that Ukraine welcomed the initiative and is looking forward to receiving the African leaders in Kiev.

The Minister concluded her visit to Lisbon by paying a courtesy call on President de Sousa, where she relayed President Ramaphosa’s readiness to host President de Sousa on his forthcoming State Visit to South Africa.

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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