Ambassador of Qatar to South Africa to QNA: President Ramaphosa's Visit to Doha Highlights Strength of Relations

Pretoria, November 14 (QNA) - HE the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of South Africa Mubarak bin Nasser Al Khalifa confirmed that the reception of HE President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the talks HH the Amir and President Ramaphosa are set to hold on Wednesday during His Excellency's visit to the State of Qatar, reflect the strength of bilateral relations, highlighting that this is His Excellency's first visit since he was elected as President of South Africa in 2018. 
    In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the Ambassador pointed out that the visit of HE President of the Republic of South Africa to the State of Qatar comes in light of the current conditions, with the Palestinian people subjected to genocide in the Gaza Strip, pointing out that South Africa is considered among the few countries in the world which explicitly expressed its condemnation of Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, and withdrew its diplomats from Israel in objection to Israeli practices.
    His Excellency stressed that the relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of South Africa have witnessed continuous development at the political, economic and diplomatic levels, as the two share a common vision on many regional and international issues, including climate change, combating extremism and terrorism, and establishing peace.
    His Excellency pointed out that trade between the two countries have increased over the past five years, now amounting to approximately QR 12.7 billion ($3.5 billion), while QatarEnergy and Total entered into a partnership to explore a huge gas condensate field in the Outeniqua Basin, off the southern coast of South Africa.
    He pointed out that there are more than 25 joint agreements and MoU between Doha and Pretoria in several fields, some of which are in their final stages. A number of these agreements are expected to be signed during the visit of HE President Cyril Ramaphosa, which will result in more mutual visits between the relevant ministers in both countries.
    HE Ambassador Mubarak bin Nasser Al Khalifa confirmed in his statement to QNA that the participation of HE President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Qatar Economic Forum 2021, which was held via video communication technology, constituted a response to the efforts made by the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations that have gained a lot of momentum in recent years, which reflects South Africa's desire to increase the level of cooperation through the formulation of many agreements, including the economic, commercial and technical cooperation agreement, the mutual investment protection agreement, and cooperation agreements in the fields of health, education and youth.
    He explained that diplomatic relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of South Africa were established in 1994 when South Africa became a democratic state with the support of the international community and with great support from the State of Qatar in international forums, as it also supported the struggle of South Africans for liberation.
    HE Ambassador Al Khalifa stated that the Republic of South Africa is considered the center of gravity on the continental level, as its economy is the largest and most developed among all African countries, with the presence of modern infrastructure in almost all parts of the country and a GDP estimated at 352 billion dollars, it is also the world's largest producer of platinum, gold and chromium. The country also hosts 170 embassies, in addition to being a member of the BRICS and the G20, HE said. Both countries are also members of the Group of 77 at the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. (QNA)