President Cyril Ramaphosa said his Ivorian counterpart Alassane Ouattara’s state visit to South Africa was “a matter of great significance” that comes months after his own to Côte d’Ivoire last December.
Ramaphosa was speaking after the two leaders held talks in Pretoria following the arrival of the Ivorian delegation to the country on Friday.
Briefing reporters, the South African president said the visit was “an indication of our shared commitment to strengthen bilateral relations.”
“During my visit to Abidjan in December, we signed nine agreements and memoranda of understanding. Today we have witnessed the signing of an additional six agreements,” Ramaphosa said.
These accords signalled the broad scope of the two countries’ cooperation, covering political, economic, cultural, social and military areas, the president said.
“The agreements cover areas of common interest such as women’s empowerment and gender equality, youth development, employment, sports, social development and social inclusion,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the accords would improve cooperation in economic sectors that had been prioritised as part of the Ivorian National Development Plan 2021-2025, and were also important for South Africa’s own Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
The economic sectors included mining, oil and gas, agriculture, communication and information technology, defence, transport and forestry, the president said.
According to him, trade between his country and the West African state was “steadily improving.”
In addition, Ramaphosa bestowed upon Ouattara the Order of South Africa (gold), which is awarded to leaders “who have distinguished themselves to the President of the Republic of South Africa.”
NM/jn/APA