South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening relations with France, with growing cooperation in investment, science and technology, and cultural diplomacy, among others.
“France is a key strategic partner for South Africa, and we enjoy longstanding bilateral cooperation spanning trade and investment, energy, defence, education, people-to-people exchange and other fields,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
President Ramaphosa, who is on an Official Visit to France from 10-12 July, said the economic relationship between South Africa and France is growing from strength to strength, and that the 6th South Africa Investment Conference held in Johannesburg in March saw a strong showing by French companies.
“This is a premier event for showcasing the opportunities for domestic and international investors in the South African economy, aligned with our national investment drive. This year, thirty French companies pledged approximately EUR 1,11 billion (ZAR 20,7 billion) in investments across a range of key economic sectors.”
This, said President Ramaphosa, demonstrates the increasing confidence French businesses have in the South African economy and its future growth prospects.
“As we embark on the largest mass infrastructure build in our country’s history, we look forward to participation by French firms in this as well as other sectors.”
President Ramaphosa has also been briefed on several agreements that are currently under negotiation, including an Agreement on Transport Related Matters; on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy; and a Draft Declaration of Intent on Mobility.
In addition, South Africa and France continue to collaborate in the fields of science, technology and innovation, said the President while also congratulating France on becoming a full member of the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO), making it the 14th Member State of the intergovernmental organisation.
“I am told that the recently held Joint Committee Meeting on science, technology and innovation was a productive one. The priority focus areas for cooperation include Artificial Intelligence (AI), oceans and marine sciences, and soil health and water.
“We welcome this ongoing cooperation in pursuit of innovation-led growth and environmental sustainability.”
Defence dialogue and cultural diplomacy
On cooperation in the defence space, the two countries have agreed to convene the long overdue 13th Defence Strategic Dialogue to take stock of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation and to explore additional areas of cooperation.
It is expected that the Strategic Dialogue will take place in South Africa in October this year.
“France and South Africa continue to advance cultural diplomacy between our two countries to develop our respective creative industries. This relationship has a key role to play in harnessing the potential of the sector to support growth, transformation, social cohesion and job creation.”
Multilateralism
On multilateralism, President Ramaphosa said the world is confronting multiple, complex and interconnected challenges including trade tensions, wars, pandemics, poverty and unemployment that threaten to undermine the quest to achieve a more peaceful, egalitarian and sustainable world.
“Multilateralism is the most effective means for addressing these collective global challenges. No country can resolve these issues in isolation. The current global environment requires stronger partnerships, collective action, and a renewed commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, the President co-chaired the Leaders Group meeting of the High-Level Steering Committee on Education alongside the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Professor Khaled El-Enany, and attended the Transforming Education Summit +4. -SAnews.gov.za
