Remarks by Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe at the Farewell Reception in honour of Ambassador Romauld Szuniewicz of Poland, Monday 11 August 2008, Pretoria

Your Excellency, Ambassador and Mrs Szuniewicz
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a pleasure for me to welcome you here this evening to bid farewell to Ambassador Szuniewicz, who has represented Poland here for the past four years with distinction. We take our leave of an Ambassador who, during his tenure, has dedicated his service to the cementing of relations between what has been referred to as the “emerging economies” in Central Europe and Southern Africa.

I would like thank you for the contribution you made in strengthening the relations of our two countries. You have worked tirelessly to reinforce bilateral relations between our two countries in both the political and economic field.

I recall the constructive political consultations that I had with under-Secretary of State Witold Waszczykowski when I hosted him during his visit to South Africa last October. The consultations were an excellent opportunity to step-up political dialogue and to prepare the ground for the proposed visits of our Foreign Minister and President to Poland in the near future.

With growing political relations between our two countries, you also undertook to promote social and cultural interaction and ensured that various events were arranged to expose the South African public to the polish culture. Also our trade relationship has been greatly enhanced with South Africa now ranked amongst the top five African countries doing business in Poland.

Ambassador, you will also be remembered for your contribution in the academic field in our country. At a time when we have been focusing on the prioritisation of skills and skills development, we have been extremely fortunate to have you as a regular participant in lectures at academic institutions and think tanks in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Your involvement with South African researchers and scientists, sharing experiences in promoting economic development through scientific and technological innovation has been greatly appreciated. South Africa would also like to thank you for the role you played in increasing scientific cooperation between the two countries. Our country is particularly appreciative of Poland’s investment and development of the Southern African Large Telescope (also known as SALT) in Sutherland which is frequented by international tourists.

Your acquaintances Ambassador, go way beyond diplomatic circles. A series of interviews with the media promoting Poland as a business and tourism destination, not only cemented relations, but I am also told that it made you well-known and “friendly” with the media. Your initiative of organising a study tour for a group of leading South African journalists to Poland and a series of articles that appeared in the travel supplements of major South African newspapers are achievements that will be remembered and have certainly elevated cooperation between Poland and South Africa.

Your Excellency, as you and Mrs Szuniewicz leave South Africa, I would like to extend our gratitude to you for your friendship and excellent contributions in strengthening the relations between our two countries. I hope that you will always remember your time in South Africa with a great deal of fondness.

I also wish you a safe return to Warsaw and success on your new position in the Office of the President.

Excellency, I present you with a souvenir of your posting in South Africa. This is a small token of our appreciation of your valued service as Ambassador of Poland to South Africa.

Ambassador and Mrs Szuniewicz, ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses and join me in wishing Your Excellency everything of the very best for the future.