The Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, had talks today with the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor.
In congratulating Minister Pandor on her appointment as Special Envoy for peace in Ukraine to the G7 countries, the Deputy Prime Minister first of all expressed the Italian government’s appreciation for South Africa’s commitment to the start of a path of negotiations towards a just, comprehensive, lasting peace in Ukraine that will comply with the UN Charter and Kiev’s sovereign prerogatives. “In coordination with its EU and NATO partners, Italy stands by all countries committed to working constructively towards this goal”, Tajani began.
“It is crucial to foster favourable conditions for Kiev and to put pressure on Moscow. Only in this way can a path to peace be set in motion and the primacy of international law be re-established. We believe that South Africa, and Africa in general, can contribute to our efforts by articulating the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities to Moscow”, Tajani noted.
The two Ministers also confirmed their willingness to strengthen the bilateral economic partnership between the two countries. South Africa is the first destination country for Italian exports to sub-Saharan Africa, where many groups and SMEs operate successfully, especially in the infrastructure, energy, agro-industry and automotive sectors. “The complementarity between our two industrial systems”, Minister Tajani stressed, “opens wide spaces for collaborations and joint ventures between our companies in many sectors.”
