Pretoria - Further cooperation between South Africa and Qatar, peace and security will come under the spotlight when International Relations Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim hosts the Third Round of Bilateral Consultations between the two countries tomorrow.
Ebrahim and his delegation will meet with Qatar's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Saif Al-Buainain in Pretoria on Tuesday.
"During the Bilateral Consultations, an important focus will be to review bilateral relations, follow up on the implementation of decisions taken during the Second Round of Bilateral Consultations that took place in Qatar in August 2010 and to explore further opportunities for cooperation between South Africa and Qatar," said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Focus will be placed on cooperation in the arts and culture, defence and security, energy, higher education, public works, social development and trade and investment.
Current political developments on the continent and in the Middle East are expected to be deliberated on, as well as ways in which the two nations can work together on issues of peace and security.
Diplomatic relations between Qatar and South Africa were established on 10 May 1994 following the advent of democracy. Former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and cabinet ministers have visited Qatar to strengthen relations.
Qatar exports crude oil and petrochemicals to South Africa.
In August last year, a South African delegation, led by Ebrahim, toured the Gulf Region (Qatar, Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain) aimed at promoting trade, tourism and investment.
The two leaders are expected to host a press briefing later tomorrow.
