Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has concluded her working visit to Venezuela, where she held talks with her counterpart Elias Jaua Milano with the aim of solidifying relations between the two counties.
During her visit Nkoana-Mashabane also paid a courtesy call on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The two sides discussed issues related to energy, mining, agriculture and education among others.
“There are a lot of commonalities between our two countries as we are both developing countries. Our cooperation is guided by the principles of mutual interest, economic development and total eradication of poverty,” said Nkoana-Mashabane after her courtesy call to President Maduro.
"The visit has gone a long way towards solidifying political, economic and cultural relations between South Africa and Venezuela."
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela were established in 1993.
The both countries have three MOUs signed by PetroSA and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), which granted PetroSA a block in order to explore Venezuela’s oil reserves.
Trade relations between the two have decreased over the years, with the balance of trade changing to favour South Africa.
Between June and July 2013, trade statistics showed imports standing at R42.5 million, while exports stood at R84.6 million. - SAnews.gov.za
