Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor says she is optimistic that trade relations between South Africa and New Zealand will be strengthened following bilateral meetings.
She met with New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, in Cape Town Friday morning to discuss bilateral relations. They also discussed issues such as the Ukraine-Russia war, women’s empowerment, nuclear disarmament, and United Nations Security Council reform.
Pandor says they hope to expand on existing good relations.
“Our relations are excellent: trade and tourism; agriculture; disarmament; fisheries; environment; and indigenous and human rights issues, and at the last stage, countries tend to work very well and agree on most human rights issues and perspectives.”
Mahuta says New Zealand is committed to improving and expanding bilateral relations with South Africa.
“I am looking forward to discussing areas to collaborate on; climate change is, importantly, one of them. Our economic relationship is strong, but more can be done, and I think we can both agree that we can do more and, in time, try ways to do that. Secondly, I am looking forward to exchanging views on the geopolitical issues facing us, whether these are in Africa, further afield, or in the Indo-Pacific.”
The video below has more on the meeting
