President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom as “a special bond” that needs to be nurtured as the two countries navigate an evolving global landscape littered with social, political and economic challenges.
Speaking during a phone call with newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday, Ramaphosa congratulated Starmer on his electoral victory and said the statement of intent “framing South Africa’s government of national unity incorporated many objectives shared by the two new administrations.”
He described the bilateral relationship as a special bond and said South Africa wished to see greater alignment with the UK at the national and multilateral level, with South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 in 2025 providing one such opportunity.
The South African leader foresees closer cooperation with the UK in the political, social, people-to-people, diplomatic, trade and investment and climate change domains over the coming years.
The two leaders committed to deepening relations between their countries in several areas of cooperation, including the just energy transition.
Starmer’s Labour Party swept to a landslide in the UK general election held on July 4.
JN/APA