Media Statement

21 February 2020

Minister Pandor concludes fruitful talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has concluded fruitful deliberations with her Portuguese counterpart, Prof Augusto Santos Silva. The meeting took place in Pretoria today, 21 February 2020.

Minister Pandor said South Africa and Portugal have a strong and historic relationship. The Minister expressed satisfaction with the new momentum that is currently being experienced in relation to improving relations between the two countries.

Minister Pandor recalled that the Presidents of South Africa and Portugal met in Maputo on 15 January 2020 on the occasion of the inauguration of President Felipe Nyusi.

“These political interactions are very important and for this reason I am pleased and honoured that you are here today. It shows the interest that you, Minister, and your Government have in developing relations with South Africa and we recognise and appreciate that,” said Minister Pandor.

Minister Pandor also said South Africa has the third largest Portuguese community in the world after those in France and Brazil. “We value them first and foremost as South Africans who contribute to our country’s cultural diversity, and we also recognise the contribution that they make to building relations between our two countries through the cultural, family and business ties that they have with Portugal.”

Referring to the first Presidential Investment Summit held in Johannesburg in 2018, Minister Pandor said this was part of President Ramaphosa’s strategy to “attract US$100 billion in new investment over a five-year period.”

This was followed by the second one in November 2019, at which more investment was pledged. “These Investment Conferences, which are held back to back with the Africa-wide one will now become annual events going forward.  Our bilateral relations have a strong economic component and I wish to assure you that South Africa is open for business and that we have tailor-made incentives for foreign companies that wish to invest or do business with us.”

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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