Media Statement

22 September 2022

Deputy Minister Botes concludes successful Working Visit to South America

The Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, has concluded his successful Working Visit to Venezuela and Chile.

The Deputy Minister visited Caracas, Venezuela, from 14 – 18 September 2022, where he met the Deputy Minister for Europe, Mr Ivan Gil; and the Deputy Minister for Africa, Mr Yuri Alexandre Pimentel Mouran. The Deputy Minister also met the Minister of Agriculture and Culture as well as the Vice Minister for Mining and attended the launch of the Venezuela – South Africa Parliamentary Friend Group.

The two countries discussed preparations for the visit of President Nicolas Maduro on a mutually agreeable date.

Furthermore, there was agreement to strengthen trade and economic relations, cooperation in agriculture, higher education, energy, mining, sport, arts and culture and exchanges on multilateral issues of mutual concern.

The Deputy Minister visited Santiago, Chile, from 19 – 21 September 2022, and met the Under-Secretaries for Foreign Affairs and Sport, Ms Ximana Fuentes, and Ms Antonia Illanes, respectively. The Deputy Minister also had a business networking forum with the Chile – South Africa Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and representatives of South African and Chilean companies.

The two countries agreed to strengthen economic and commercial relations, development and technical cooperation, cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture, science and innovation, Antarctica research and exchanges on multilateral issues of mutual concern.

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

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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