Following the Minister’s meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr Sergey Lavrov, today saw a much calmer and less controversial interaction take place with the hosting of Mr Dendias, the Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic. 

The visit, marked the first ever to be undertaken by a Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic since 1998, which has proven to be quite significant given the relationship South Africa has with the Hellenic Republic, both in the role of the Greek population in the anti-Apartheid struggle as well as the economy of our country. 

According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation South Africa (DIRCO), the visit was aimed at providing an opportunity for both Ministers to “deepen engagement and discussion on various topics of mutual interest, including regional and international issues”. 

Moreover, the discussions held by the two Ministers served as a continuation of discussions held at the bilateral trade and investment seminar organised by the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce in July 2022.

Speaking on the Diplomatic relations between the two nations, Minister Pandor expressed that Greece has excellent experience in the use of green energy sources,  and that this experience would be of immense value to South Africa. Sectors like education, energy and tourism are among some of the key areas that the two countries plan to engage with one another in. 

Meanwhile, Dendias expressed his gratitude for the South Africa’s support in campaigning for the election of the Hellenic Republic into the United Nation’s Security Council, adding “we respect South Africa’s position on a big number of international issues”. 

DIRCO Minister, Naledi Pandor, concluded their engagement by expressing how this was “the beginning of a much stronger relationship” between both nations.