Deputy Minister Ebrahim concludes his Working Visit in Berne for the 3rd Annual SA – Swiss High Level Consultations

International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim has concluded his visit in Berne, Switzerland, where he co-chaired the South Africa-Switzerland 3rd Annual High Level consultations (HLC) with his Swiss counterpart, State Secretary Peter Maurer. 

Accordingly; the following issues were covered during the meeting:

• Bilateral and political relations between South Africa and Switzerland;
• Economic relations;
• African Agenda and European Issues; and
• Multilateral relations.

During the meeting Deputy Minister Ebrahim and State Secretary Maurer highlighted the common interests that exist between the two countries.  “Our countries share common values of democracy, respect for human rights and social justice, and we continue to build our good relations on these principles. Political relations between South Africa and Switzerland remain excellent and continue to develop at all levels – that is, bilaterally; in terms of trilateral cooperation; in regional and multilateral contexts,” Deputy Minister Ebrahim said.

Both principals noted that South Africa is advancing a developmental integration agenda in Southern Africa that combines trade integration, infrastructure development and sector policy coordination, in support of building greater productive capacity across the region. This includes strengthening a “real economy” cooperation agenda, of which industrial development is a critical component.

South Africa and Switzerland indicated that they have noted the developments in North Africa and that they will continue to monitor the situation and hope that peace, security and stability return as soon as possible.

The HLC comprises of four committees from various government departments and the role of the HLC is to provide strategic direction in each committees.

Deputy Minister Ebrahim and the South African delegation are expected to arrive back in South Africa on Friday, 18 March 2011.

For further information please contact Mr. Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for DIRCO, on 082 884 5974.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
Private Bag X 152
Pretoria
0001

16 March 2011