International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers is scheduled to visit three South American countries from 1 to 9 March 2015, beginning in the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, proceeding to the Republic of Chile and concluding the visit in the Republic of Columbia.
While in Montevideo, Uruguay, the Deputy Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterpart, Deputy Minister Jose-Luis Cancela. Deputy Minister Landers will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the establishment of Bilateral Relations between the two countries.
In Chile, Deputy Minister Landers will co-chair the 5th Joint Consultative Mechanism between South Africa and Chile with his Chilean counterpart. South Africa and Chile enjoy sound bilateral relations which are conducted through the Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) which is conducted at Deputy Ministerial level. The JCM continues to serve a constructive purpose in the on-going political dialogue between the two countries at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
South Africa is Chile's largest trading partner in Africa and South Africa is the biggest investor in Chile's mining sector. The biggest area of trade between South Africa and Chile is capital goods for mining.
Deputy Minister Landers' visit to Colombia from 8 to 9 March will see the Deputy Minister hold bilateral meetings with his counterpart, Deputy Minister Patti Londono Jaramillo. Relations between South Africa and Colombia were established in 1994 and Colombia opened a resident Embassy in Pretoria in 1995.
Bilateral relations between South Africa and Colombia are cordial and growing. Colombia served with South Africa as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in 2011-2012.
Enquiries:
Mr Clayson Monyela
Cell: 082 884 5974
