Joint Statement on the 10th Session of the Deputy Ministerial Working Group between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of South Africa held in Tehran on 23 May 2022 (corresponding to 2 Khor 1401)
1. At the invitation of His Excellency, Dr Ali Bagheri Kani, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Her Excellency, Candith Mashego-Dlamini, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, paid a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran from 21 to 24 May 2022 to co-chair the 10th Session of the Deputy Ministerial Working Group, as well as to conduct bilateral discussions.
2. During the visit Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Dr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Ensieh Khazali, the Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Dr Mehdi Safari, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for economic affairs.
3. On 23 May 2022, during the 10th Session of the Deputy Ministerial Working Group, both Deputy Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the cordial relationship that exists between South Africa and Iran, emanating from the strong fraternal bonds of friendship built on an historical foundation.
4. The Deputy Ministers further expressed satisfaction with the progress made in implementing the outcomes of the 14th Joint Commission of Cooperation, which was concluded in October 2019 in Tehran.
5. The Deputy Ministers recommitted to further deepen cooperation in preparation for the 15th Joint Commission of Cooperation and proposed State Visit that will be hosted by the Republic of South Africa during November 2022. The exact dates will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
6. Whilst the Deputy Ministerial Working Group assessed and reviewed the progress achieved in the bilateral relations between the two countries, it also allowed for the identification of new potential areas of cooperation aimed at further strengthening political, economic and cultural cooperation.
7. The Deputy Ministers also exchanged views on global and regional developments, inter alia the progress on the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Ukraine-Russia conflict, global terrorism, Human Rights, and the BRICS grouping.
8. The 11th Session of the Deputy Ministerial Working Group will be hosted by the Republic of South Africa. The exact date will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
9. The Republic of South Africa expressed its sincere appreciation to the Islamic Republic of Iran for the warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements in the hosting of the 10th Session of the Deputy Ministerial Working Group.
10. The Statement for the 10th Session of the Deputy Ministerial Working Group was concluded in Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, on 23 May 2022, in English and Persian languages, both being equally authentic.
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