Pretoria – Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has wrapped up his visit to Poland, saying the two countries are committed to furthering relations.
“We renew our commitment to continue building on our transitional experiences and strengthen complementary and mutually beneficial bilateral relations that will contribute to the advancement of our national development priorities, the African Agenda and a more democratic and equitable global governance system,” said Deputy President Motlanthe.
He was speaking at a joint media briefing with the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, on Friday.
Deputy President Motlanthe said South Africa and Poland would strengthen cooperation in trade and economic relations, science and technology, education and skills development, maritime cooperation, agriculture and rural development and mineral resources and energy.
“We look forward to the convening of the Joint Economic Committee in the second semester of this year, which will elaborate action plans for each of these areas.”
Deputy President Motlanthe said a delegation of South African business leaders had accompanied him to Warsaw in order to strengthen commercial relations between Poland and South Africa.
“These business leaders have already met with their counterparts involved in similar sectors and have made site visits to some of the factories and businesses with the aim of exploring reciprocal business opportunities,” he said.
Deputy President Motlanthe and Tusk also exchanged views on priorities for the forthcoming Africa-EU Summit, as well as Africa’s Agenda 2063, the United Nations Post 2015 Development Agenda and cooperation on Human Rights within the context of the United Nations Human Rights Council. – SAnews.gov.za
