sanews - 5 days ago

SA, Switzerland deepen ties with five cooperation agreements By Dikeledi Molobela Bern, Switzerland – South Africa and Switzerland on Wednesday signed five cooperation agreements aimed at deepening bilateral relations across key sectors including trade, education, culture, sustainable development, and peace mediation. This comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa is on a two-day State Visit at the invitation of President Karin Keller-Sutter of the Swiss Confederation. The signing ceremony followed official talks between President Ramaphosa and President Keller-Sutter at the Bernerhof in Bern, where the two leaders and their delegations discussed ways to advance collaboration at both bilateral and international levels. Before the talks, the Presidents walked together from the Swiss House of Parliament to Bernerhof, accompanied by ministers and senior officials from both countries. The discussions were attended by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande, Minister Buti Manamela, Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi, senior advisors, ambassadors, and officials. Opening the meeting, President Keller-Sutter welcomed President Ramaphosa and his delegation. In his response, President Ramaphosa expressed appreciation for Switzerland’s hospitality and the strong foundations of cooperation built between the two countries throughout the year. “Let me thank you very much for the incredibly warm welcome that you have shown us. We are truly honoured and well welcomed, the hospitality that you have shown to us as South Africa is something that we really appreciate. “Our get together at four occasions just this year have laid a very good foundation for a very strong and enduring relationship between our two countries… This in many ways is quite historic,” President Ramaphosa said. Following their discussions, five key cooperation documents were signed by members of the Swiss Federal Council and South African Cabinet Ministers. The first agreement, a Letter of Intent between the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland and the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, focuses on cooperation in international peace mediation and strengthening democratic resilience. It was signed by Minister Lamola and Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. The second agreement, a Joint Declaration of Cooperation between the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of Switzerland and the Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa, establishes collaboration in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). It was signed by Minister Manamela and Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin. The third agreement, a Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation, reaffirms the two countries’ intention to resume and advance negotiations on modernising the free trade agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). It was signed by Deputy Minister Godlimpi and Federal Councillor Parmelin. The fourth agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in urban sustainable development in South Africa, provides for a Swiss contribution to a South African urban development programme aimed at boosting the economy. It was signed by Minister Lamola and Federal Councillor Parmelin. The fifth agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of arts, culture and heritage, seeks to intensify cooperation in cultural exchange and heritage preservation. It was signed by Minister Manamela and Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider. According to the Swiss Federal Council, the State Visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa serves as an opportunity for Switzerland and South Africa to strengthen relations. “On Wednesday, 29 October, five documents on future cooperation were signed. Prior to that, the South African President was received by the full Federal Council. Official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level,” the Swiss government said. Both countries commended the breadth and intended strengthening of relations, with the Swiss delegation emphasising South Africa’s important role in international forums such as the United Nations and the Group of Twenty (G20). Discussions also covered trade and business relations, economic development cooperation, science and research partnerships, as well as cooperation in mediation, democratic resilience and cultural exchange. The two governments hailed the visit as the beginning of a new chapter in South Africa–Switzerland relations, one that deepens collaboration, drives innovation, and promotes shared prosperity through sustainable development and inclusive growth. – SAnews.gov.za DikelediM Wed, 10/29/2025 - 21:15 36 views

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