Media Statement
30 May 2022
South Africa and Uruguay to hold inaugural Political Consultations
The Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, and his counterpart, Ms Carolina Ache Batlle, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, will co-chair the inaugural South African – Uruguay Political Consultations on Tuesday, 31 May 2022, in Pretoria.
Bilateral relations between South Africa and Uruguay remain sound and the various common ideals, such as democracy, human rights as well as equitable, inclusive and sustainable development, and objectives of the two Governments provide a potential basis for enhanced bilateral relations as well as for cooperation at the multilateral level. Bilateral cooperation with Uruguay is in line with South Africa’s foreign policy objective of South-South Cooperation to develop mutually beneficial political and economic relations and technical cooperation and to advance the development agenda of the South.
South Africa and Uruguay have signed several agreements, including the Memorandum of Understanding Establishing the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism in March 2015.
Uruguay has added significance to South Africa due to its membership of MERCOSUR – the Southern Common Market comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and that has signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
The two countries have identified the following priority areas for the development and strengthening of bilateral cooperation in defence; mineral resources and energy; social security; sports; and trade and investment. During the meeting, the parties will also exchange views on key regional and global developments and ways to strengthen cooperation on multilateral issues of mutual interest.
Enquires: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO,082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084