President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Ukrainian counterpart, President Voldimir Zelensky, used official visits to deepen bilateral relations for the mutual benefits of the two countries.
President Ramaphosa hosted President Zelenki at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday, marking his first official visit from the Ukrainian head of state to South Africa.
He expressed his clear honor to receive his delegation in President Zelensky and Union buildings.
“This is a historic visit. This is the first time that the head of Ukraine has visited South Africa in 33 years since it established formal diplomatic relations.
“We are very grateful for the support we received from Ukraine during the liberation struggle. We recall the training and education of many exiled South Africans in Ukraine,” the president said.
In June 2023, President Ramaphosa praised Kiev’s visit to President Zelensky as part of the African Peace Initiative.
Since then, he has said he has maintained a continuous dialogue between the two countries and their diplomats.
“We have concluded our successful talks that exchanged opinions on ways to integrate and deepen bilateral relations between the two countries, and we have noticed a growing interest in expanding relationships between peace diplomacy, post-conflict reconstruction and development, and women’s empowerment.
“We also discussed opportunities for cooperation in areas such as agriculture, trade, education, infrastructure and social exchange,” President Ramaphosa said.
He expressed his satisfaction that the ministers of both countries are discussing the strengthening of trade and investment opportunities, including agriculture and agribusiness opportunities.
“We acknowledge the great advances that Ukraine has made, and the efforts of President Zelensky to expand relations with the African continent, in particular.
“Please note the provision of grain in food stress regions in West and East Africa, the expansion of agricultural cooperation, and the opening of grain hubs in the port of Mombasa in Kenya,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said these were the direct results of discussions held when he and other African heads of state visited Kiev in June 2023 as part of the African Peace Initiative.
“Our involvement today was an opportunity to discuss our common interest in peace, security, stability and sustainable development progress on the continents, Ukraine and around the world.
“We have reinforced our shared commitment to respecting the central role of the United Nations in international relations, multilateralism, and global governance, as well as the rule of law in maintaining global peace and security,” he said.
President Zelensky made his remarks, pointing out that South Africa is currently primarily on the 20 groups (G20) groups, highlighting the role of the G20 in protecting peace is far more important and he is highly hoping for.
He proposed the creation of a joint mineral hub between Ukraine and South Africa to promote the production and transport of fertilizer, supporting the wider South African region.
“Our bilateral agenda is also very important. Ukraine is enthusiastic about energy security issues and fertilizer production. We are ready to work with South Africans to build a more modern production facility in your country for the more resilient electricity sector,” he said.
President Zelensky also highlights opportunities for cooperation in the agricultural sector, potentially increasing bilateral trade between the two countries significantly.
“Ukraine offers South Africa to have a joint mineral hub to produce and transport fertilizer to support your entire region. There are potential projects in the agriculture sector, which could lead to better bilateral trade outcomes between Ukraine and South Africa,” he said.
He added that Ukraine is also ready to work together to develop modern security systems for national parks, urban environments and other sectors that require advanced technology solutions.
President Zelensky has expressed Ukraine’s willingness to partner with South Africa to promote power generation, from atomic energy to affordable renewable energy.
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“We are also ready to work together to dramatically increase the power generation of your country, from atomic energy to renewables. Affordable energy has always contributed to economic growth. I have already strived to my team of experts to look into joint projects between our countries,” he said.
He also presented President Ramaphosa with a list of 400 Ukrainian children reportedly being detained against his will in Russia.
President Zelensky has recognised South Africa’s role as a co-leader of the Global Union in bringing Ukrainian children homes and expressed his hope that President Ramaphosa would help ensure their return.
“We have presented President Ramaphosa with a list of 400 Ukrainian children. It is very important that we take care of them… we need to get them back. We really hope that President Ramaphosa will help us really bring us home.
“I am grateful for this visit and I am grateful for the opportunity to meet you. I strongly believe that the President of South Africa, all other African partners will help engage in a full-scale ceasefire (acquires Russia),” Zelensky said. -sanews.gov.za
