Foreign Minister Pandor To Receive French Counterpart, Will Discuss 'Regional And International Issues'

The foreign ministers of South Africa and France will meet in Pretoria on Monday to discuss the countries' cooperation across a multitude of sectors.

South African minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor will receive Catherine Colonna, the French minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, on Monday, following which the meeting will be held at the OR Tambo Building at 1:00 p.m.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, the visit will provide an opportunity for both countries to talk about their mutual interests, including "regional and international issues."

During the meeting, an agreement regarding Cyber Forensic investigations and the Fight Against Corruption between South Africa and France will be signed by the minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, and Colonna.

South Africa and France's relationship "are underpinned by strong cooperation at national, regional, and multilateral levels across a multitude of sectors," the statement mentioned, adding the two countries are cooperating in several areas, including science and technology, defense, trade and investment, arts and culture, tourism, higher education and training, and health.

Prior to her visit to South Africa, Colonna had addressed President Cyril Ramaphosa and other African leaders' visit to Russia and Ukraine to seek peace.

The French Minister said that such a peace mission "would mean accepting the right of the strongest and it would be an illusion because new conflicts would result from it. Allowing one aggression to be rewarded would risk opening the way to other aggressions, there or elsewhere," Daily Maverick reported.

Colonna also recalled meeting Pandor last month in Paris, during which they said, "Any effort in favor of a just and lasting peace, which respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, is welcome."

When the minister was questioned about South Africa's neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, Colonna replied, "South Africa is a trusted partner for France."

She added that French President Emmanuel Macron and Ramaphosa regularly stay in touch, while she worked closely with Pandor regarding international issues.

France is one of South Africa's key investors, and has supported the country in the first three South African Investment Conferences. France's commitment of R20 billion in 2019 was executed successfully by 2021.

Furthermore, a new commitment of R50 billion was made last year. The recent South African Investment Conference was held on April 13, this year.

To date, French companies have created around 100,000 jobs for South Africans, and also offered vocational and other training opportunities to strengthen capacity in numerous fields.

Moreover, French companies also play an important role in maintaining the power stations of South Africa named Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.