23 June 2021
The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, has concluded his working visit to Turkey, where he attended the inaugural Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) from 18 – 20 June 2021.
Deputy Minister Botes says the ADF presented an excellent platform for regional and global actors from the spheres of diplomacy, policy and business to exchange ideas and address international challenges.
The Deputy Minister participated in a panel discussion on Turkey-Africa economic cooperation hosted by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIKC). The panel explored mutual opportunities for trade and investment. Common issues raised by the participants included possibilities of joint projects between Africa and Turkey.
The Deputy Minister also had Political Consultations on the margins of the ADF with his Turkish counterpart, Mr Sedat Onal, where they discussed economic and political cooperation.
Turkey and South Africa are strategic partners and have elevated the structured engagement between the two countries into a Bi-National Commission at Deputy President’s level.
The Deputy Minister also met with other Foreign Ministers and Deputy Foreign Ministers from various countries, including the Foreign Minister of Venezuela, Mr Jorge Arreaza; Foreign Minister of Palestine, Mr Raid Malki; and the Vice Minister of Bilateral Foreign Policy of the Dominican Republic, Mr José Julio Gòmez.