President Cyril Ramaphosa described the talks between South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire as very cordial and fruitful.
The President stated in a statement to the media after formal negotiations at the Union Buildings that the two nations had assessed the implementation of previous agreements and identified areas for further collaboration.
On Friday, President Ramaphosa welcomed President Alassane Ouattara, the president of the Cote d’Ivoire, to South Africa for an official state visit.
The two leaders conducted private talks and discussed the status of carrying out the agreements and memorandums of understanding they struck in December.
They also reviewed the execution of economic projects and discussed new agreements to further deepen bilateral cooperation.
President Ouattara’s decision to travel to South Africa so soon after his state visit to Côte d’Ivoire in December of last year is of significant significance, according to President Ramaphosa.
“It demonstrates our shared commitment to enhancing our bilateral ties. We formally ratified nine Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding during my trip to Abidjan in December.
He remarked, “Today, we have seen the signing of six more accords.
The President stated that taken as a whole, these accords represent the extensive nature of the two nations’ collaboration, spanning political, economic, cultural, social, and military spheres.
These agreements, according to him, “include areas of mutual interest, such as women’s empowerment and gender equality, youth development, employment, sport, social development and social inclusion.”
The agreements, according to President Ramaphosa, will strengthen collaboration in economic sectors that have been prioritised as part of the Ivory Coast’s National Development Plan 2021–2025 and that are crucial to South Africa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP).
Mining, oil and gas, agriculture, communication and information technology, defence, transport, and forestry are among the main sectors.
Our various schools of government have entered into a cooperation agreement, the President stated, as part of our shared objective in creating a capable, developing state.
Trade between SA and Cote d’Ivoire
According to President Ramaphosa, bilateral trade is progressively expanding.
He emphasised that imports from Côte d’Ivoire have increased in value over the past five years, and that South African exports to that country have returned following a decrease in 2019.
Several South African businesses are currently working in Côte d’Ivoire in sectors like banking, insurance, television, and telecommunications.
We will further investigate the enormous investment potential in other industries using the bilateral agreements we have signed.
President Ramaphosa stated, “We will also be investigating these potential through engagements like the South Africa-Côte d’Ivoire Business Forum this afternoon.
According to President Ramaphosa, the start of flights by Air Côte d’Ivoire between Johannesburg and Abidjan is expected to further improve trade, investment, and tourism between the two nations.
It is probably going to result in more travel between the two nations as well as between South and West Africa.
We anticipate that the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area would further strengthen our business ties.
Continuity and Safety
The security and stability challenges in their respective regions and across the continent were further discussed by the two Heads of State.
In accordance with the terms of the Defense Cooperation Agreement, which was signed in December 2021, the President remarked, “We praised the vital role performed by Côte d’Ivoire in contributing to peace and stability in West Africa and committed our support.”
The significance of multilateralism within the global system of governance was acknowledged, according to President Ramaphosa.
“We decided to keep defending and promoting the UN’s supremacy in resolving issues that the international community is confronting.
We are united in our desire to collaborate in order to create a prosperous Africa that is built on inclusive growth and sustainable development, good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law, he added.
President Ouattara received the Order of South Africa
President Ramaphosa earlier awarded President Ouattara the Order of South Africa in recognition of his efforts to strengthen the friendship between the two nations.
The President of the Republic of South Africa presents Heads of State and Government who have distinguished themselves with the Order of South Africa (Gold).
It has been a great honour to welcome you to our nation, Your Excellency. In the interests of our peoples and of our continent, Africa, I look forward to strengthening our partnership, the president added.
At a South Africa-Cote d’Ivoire Business Forum being hosted at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria this afternoon, Presidents Ramaphosa and Ouattara will speak.