Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Marius Fransman, who attended the inauguration of the newly and democratically elected President of Madagascar, is back in the country.
Fransman represented President Jacob Zuma at the inauguration of President Hery Rajaonarimampianina on Saturday.
The Indian Ocean island country had been in crisis since late 2008. South Africa, as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), played a leading role in the process of mediation during the past five years, including serving and chairing the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
Fransman said the swearing in of the new president signalled a new beginning for Madagascar and its people.
During the visit, Fransman held bilateral discussions with Rajaonarimampianina, the outgoing Transitional President Andry Rajoelina and Foreign Affairs Minister Jacques Ulrich Andriantiana.
“I conveyed the congratulations and appreciation of the government and people of South Africa for the constructive and responsible manner in which all leaders, stakeholders and the people of Madagascar across the board, contributed to a peaceful and orderly transition to a new dispensation in Madagascar,” said Fransman.
The deputy minister said South Africa’s main objective was to expand bilateral and economic relations between South Africa and Madagascar to mutual benefit.
“There is already a sizeable number of South African companies present in Madagascar, and the encouraging aspect is that an increasing number of South African companies are looking at the exciting economic opportunities [there],” said Fransman.
A South Africa-Madagascar Chamber of Commerce will be launched soon, which will further facilitate bilateral economic cooperation.
The African Union on Monday lifted the suspension of Madagascar's membership, putting an end to the crisis that started five years ago. – SAnews.gov.za
