South Africa and Saudi Arabia reaffirm to solidify bilateral relations

Reflecting on the fruitful outcomes of the State visit, Sisulu and Kattan committed to implementing the high-level decisions emanating from the State visit.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and her Saudi Arabia counterpart have reaffirmed the importance of the two states solidifying already strong bilateral relations in all fields.

Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Kattan, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for African Affairs, and Sisulu reached the agreement during a meeting held in Johannesburg on Monday.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in a statement said the meeting focused on the recent successful State visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reflecting on the fruitful outcomes of the State visit, Sisulu and Kattan committed to implementing the high-level decisions emanating from the State visit. Among these was the pledge by the Saudi government to invest US$10 billion in South Africa.

"The Ministers also reaffirmed the importance of further solidifying the strong South Africa-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations in all fields, in line with the aspirations of the leadership of the two countries," DIRCO said.

The Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments. Sisulu stressed the importance of all countries adhering to and respecting the principle of non-interference by any country in the internal affairs of other countries, regardless of the reasons or justification.

Sisulu thanked Kattan for his visit to the country and the Saudi government's commitment to further strengthen and expand bilateral relations.

(With inputs from South African Government press release)