New York, 26 September 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of the Republic of South Africa (RSA), Naledi Pandor, met with the Foreign Minister of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs.
The meeting took place on September 24 in New York, on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
#SALatviaRelations | Minister Naledi Pandor holds a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, H.E. Edgars Rinkevics, on the margins of the UN General Assembly. UN headquarters, New York, 24/09/2022. pic.twitter.com/RC59nGi4Tr
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) September 25, 2022
Meeting Minutes
During the meeting, both the Ministers discussed bilateral relations, relations between the European Union (EU) and the Republic of South Africa, as well as cooperation in international organizations.
Also Read: South Africa at 77th UNGA
The Foreign Minister of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, expressed his hope that the planned political consultations between the Foreign Ministries in Pretoria in the next month will provide an opportunity for identifying cooperation areas of mutual interest.
Rinkēvičs said, “We are interested in developing business contacts in information technology, education and science, and in the logistics and transport sector, making use of advantages offered by Latvia’s ports and its airport.”
Moreover, he said “Signing of a convention on the prevention of double taxation, an air transport agreement, or a memorandum on economic cooperation would facilitate the unlocking of cooperation potential.”
The Latvian Foreign Minister urged the RSA to consider imposing the same admission requirements on Latvian nationals as it does on the vast majority of EU individuals. The RSA would then be accessible for up to 90 days without requiring a visa.
Bilateral Relations
The Republic of South Africa was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Latvia on 28 August 1991. Bilateral relations between both countries have developed gradually.
There are no unresolved disputes between South Africa and Latvia, and both nations have pledged to support one another in international organizations.
Wine, woven fabrics, refrigerators and freezers, ethyl alcohol, and machine tools are the primary exports from South Africa to Latvia.
Whereas machinery and electrical appliances, parts and accessories, rubber goods, drums, and telephone sets are the key exports from Latvia to South Africa.
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