Bilateral political consultations between Italy and South Africa were held today in Pretoria. The Deputy Minister Emanuela Del Re and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, Alvin Botes, led their respective delegations. The Deputy Minister recalled that relations with South Africa are rooted in Italy’s support in the fight against apartheid and expressed the hope that economic and trade relations would also be strengthened further. South Africa is Italy’s main economic partner in sub-Saharan Africa with trade between the two countries growing by 10.5% in 2018. Italian companies are already present in the country with investments and technologies.
The two Deputy Ministers agreed to work together in the context of the next Climate Conference, COP26, particularly on the youth event to be held in Italy. Ms Del Re stressed Italy’s wish to enhance our relations with African countries and to contribute to the EU’s relations with the continent. Finally, she referred to the forthcoming entry into force of the African Free Trade Area as an opportunity to stimulate continental growth and development.
