Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with his South African counterpart Ronald Lamola on Saturday, on the sidelines of the Africa El Alamein Business Forum. The two ministers discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and exchanged views on several regional and international issues of common interest. The meeting aimed to strengthen ties between the two nations and explore opportunities for cooperation.
During the meeting, Abdelatty praised the depth of Egyptian-South African relations, expressing his aspiration to elevate economic, trade, and investment relations. This aligns with the directives of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to upgrade relations between the two countries. The ministers also welcomed the establishment of the Egyptian-South African Business Council.
The council is seen as a crucial mechanism for enhancing communication between the business communities of both countries and driving joint projects. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of intensifying cooperation between companies in both countries and leveraging available opportunities in infrastructure, energy, transportation, and industry sectors. This cooperation aims to increase bilateral trade and investments.
The two ministers also exchanged views on several regional developments, including the situation in Sudan, the Horn of Africa, the Palestinian issue, Libya, and the Sahel region. They stressed the importance of continued coordination and consultation between Egypt and South Africa in regional and international forums.
The ministers expressed their support for peace, security, and development efforts in the continent and exchanged support for their respective nominations. They also agreed to continue coordination within the BRICS group to support its economic and developmental goals. The meeting concluded with the signing of an agreement to establish a joint high committee.
The joint high committee aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and monitor its various tracks. The committee will also drive the implementation of agreed-upon projects in political, economic, trade, investment, and developmental fields. The ministers agreed to hold the first session of the Business Council during Abdelatty's upcoming visit to South Africa.
The visit is expected to further solidify the agreement to upgrade relations between the two countries, which was signed earlier. The meeting between Abdelatty and Lamola reflects the commitment of both countries to strengthening their bilateral relations and exploring new opportunities for cooperation. The two nations are looking forward to a more robust partnership.
Key points
- Egypt and South Africa have agreed to establish a joint high committee to enhance bilateral cooperation.
- The Egyptian-South African Business Council was launched to promote communication between business communities.
- The two countries will continue to coordinate within the BRICS group to support economic and developmental goals.
