Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers has concluded his three-leg visit to South American countries to boost trade and bilateral relations.
Deputy Minister Landers visited Uruguay, Chile and on Tuesday he concluded his official visit to Bogota, Colombia.
During his visit to Bogata, Deputy Minister Landers held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Patti Londoño – in which he conveyed South Africa’s interest in opening an Embassy in Bogota.
The meeting concluded with the two countries signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Establishment of a Political Consultation Mechanism between the two countries.
“The MoU is important as it will play a significant role in providing structure to relations, especially considering the opportunities in both countries such as trade and investment, social development and sharing of best practises, as well as cooperating in multilateral organisations,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said on Tuesday.
Relations between South Africa and Colombia were established in 1994 and Colombia opened a resident Embassy in1995.
Bilateral relations between South Africa and Colombia are cordial and growing.
Colombia has since 2012 decided to prioritise South Africa and referred to the country as the African Gateway. - SAnews.gov.za
