Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says South Africa's international relations is premised on creating a better Africa in a better world, with a particular emphasis on strengthening South-South co-operation with the developing world of the South and the developed nations of the North.
"It is for this reason that we constantly focus our energies on engagements that seek to promote issues of common interest and mutual benefit," Zuma said.
"Our intention is to ensure that our bilateral relations with all our partners are further strengthened through meaningful dialogue," he said.
The President was speaking at the occasion to receive credentials from heads of mission accredited to South Africa in Pretoria yesterday. He received credentials from representatives of Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Turkey, Bulgaria, Zealand, Guatemala, Bangladesh, Egypt, Congo Brazzaville, Seychelles and the newly formed state of the Republic of South Sudan.
"We continue to receive Heads of Mission in order to consolidate our strategic international relations vision and, at the same time, find creative ways and means through which we can better improve on our work in the conduct of our foreign policy."
Zuma also said he was happy with the role played by Egypt in the pursuit of peace in the Middle East, especially the Palestine-Israeli conflict.
"To this end, South Africa will continue to value its engagement with Egypt on this matter," he said.
The President also used the occasion to reaffirm South Africa's commitment to the South Africa-Egypt Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) as a vehicle of facilitating bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
"We look forward to working closely with you in cementing all important aspects of our relations," he said.
