Pretoria - South Africa and Spain are committed to facing mutual challenges together, International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Deputy Minister Marius Fransman said on Wednesday at the end of a two-day Annual Bilateral Consultation between the two countries.
"We had fruitful talks ... we are ready to take up the challenges facing us," Fransman said.
He and the Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Juan Antonio Yanez-Barnuevo, discussed political cooperation, development and the strengthening of trade and investment. The promotion of the African agenda and reform of international institutions also featured on the agenda.
"Spain stands ready to cooperate," said Fransman, adding that challenges faced by the two nations as a result of the global economic meltdown should not be insurmountable.
The deputy minister also noted Spain's support in capacity building, particularly when coming to education and skills development. He said this would strengthen institutions within South Africa.
Talks between the two countries also extended to several ministries.
Yanez-Barnuevo said: "The exchange between the two governments shows that countries have many things in common. We are trying to build bridges between the two continents."
He added that the Spanish government has noted the role played by South Africa on the continent and in the world. "We also want to work together on [issues] of peace and security and development in Africa and the world," he said.
Spain also wants to work together with South Africa in the fight against climate change. South Africa is poised to host the Seventeenth Conference of the Parties (COP 17) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) later this year in Durban.
South Africa-Spain Annual Consultations serve as the main forum for coordinating bilateral relations between the two countries. Spain will host the eighth consultations between the two nations next year.
