South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said on Thursday that his country attaches great importance to its relationship with Senegal and would want to see the deepening of diplomatic and economic ties between Pretoria and Dakar.
Speaking during a two-day working visit to Dakar, Lamola said South Africa and Senegal, “present a good model of how two friendly African countries cooperate and can maximise opportunities for mutual benefit.”
“Bilateral investment and trade, which already exist, have scope for expansion,” the minister said.
He added: My meeting with my counterpart, Minister Yassine Fall, will ensure that there is greater cooperation between our two countries.”
During the visit Lamola would co-chair the inaugural Session of the Ministerial Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation alongside Fall who is Senegal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad.
The session aims to establish a formal framework for collaboration on mutual priorities such as political dialogue, economic growth, regional integration and multilateral coordination.
“This platform reflects our shared vision to consolidate bilateral relations and amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage,” Lamola said.
He noted that by deepening their diplomatic and economic cooperation, South Africa and Senegal would “unlock new opportunities for our nations and the continent.”
Lamola is also expected to meet with Senegalese leaders, including Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
JN/APA