Remarks by President Motlanthe to Designated Heads of Mission at Credentials Ceremony, Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria, Thursday 26 February 2009

Remarks by President Kgalema Motlanthe to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Republic of Tunisia HE Prof Dr Ahmed Mahjoub

Please accept my congratulations to you for your appointment and my assurance that the South African government is at your disposal. We will do everything in our power to support your efforts of re-enforcing the relations between our two countries and our people. We have already close to 200 Tunisian doctors in our rural villages and they have served as excellent Ambassadors of Tunisia. We have only received positive reports about the work they are doing and we hope that your tour of duty will not only strengthen and cement our ties but raise them to a much higher level.congratulations.

Remarks by President Kgalema Motlanthe to High Commissioner Designate of the Federation of Malaysia HE Mr Kennedy Jawan

Accept my warm congratulations and a word of welcome to you and your spouse. I hope that you will find your tour of duty most fruitful. Our relations with Malaysia have been very strong. My predecessors, both Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki had very strong ties with the former Prime Minister Mahathir and we hope that you will find your tour of duty to be very fulfilling. My government and our officials will be at your disposal. Anytime you need support and assistance please feel free to call on us. Congratulations.

Remarks by President Kgalema Motlanthe to High Commissioner Designate of the Commonwealth of Australia HE Ms Ann Jacqueline Harrap

Please accept my hearty congratulations for your appointment; it is timely. The relations between our two countries will benefit greatly from your appointment and I would like to assure you of our unqualified support in your efforts during your tour of duty. In the areas of potential cooperation we are ready and willing to engage with Australia. In my interactions with Prime Minister (inaudible) I found that we have a lot in common in terms of our world outlook and how even the current economic crisis should be tackled. We are honoured that you are here. We extend a warm welcome to your husband as well. The relations between South Africa and Australia go back centuries and that is why it is instinctively natural for South Africans who wish to establish a home away from South Africa to settle and for Australians who want to find a sunny home outside Australia also come to South Africa. Once again congratulations.

Remarks by President Kgalema Motlanthe to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Republic of Colombia HE Mr Edgar José Perea-Aria

Congratulations for your appointment. We are grateful that you have been appointed and we look forward to giving you all the support you need to ensure that the relations between our two countries and people are strengthened and that your tour of duty would mark the raising of the volume of trade between our two countries as well. Once again congratulations.

Remarks by President Kgalema Motlanthe to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the Republic Of Poland HE Mr Marcin Kubiak

Your Excellency accept my congratulations and warm welcome to you and your spouse. I hope that you find our people very hospitable and welcoming. I want to assure you of the support of our government and officials in all of your endeavours during your stay here in our country and that your tour of duty will raise the relations and bonds between our two peoples to a higher level. Congratulations.

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

26 February 2009