His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, discussed ways of enhancing the relations and cooperation between the UAE and South Africa, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed President Ramaphosa and his delegation while highlighting his desire to develop the ties between their countries. He also expressed his confidence that the visit will be the start of positive and prosperous cooperation between the two countries and their peoples, as well as the strengthening of their relations, Emirates news agency WAM reported.
During their official discussion at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed and Ramaphosa reviewed potential cooperation, investment, economic and cultural opportunities, to realize the aspirations of their countries and peoples and achieve sustainable development, progress and prosperity.
Both sides discussed the latest regional and international developments and exchanged opinions on issues of mutual interest.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council, FNC; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi, Minister of Federal Supreme Council at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs; Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State; Dr. Ahmed Al Mazroui, Secretary-General of the Executive Council; Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority; Riyad Abdulrahman Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Finance; Saif Mohammed Al Hajri, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development; Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces; Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince’s Court of Abu Dhabi, and Mahash Saeed Al Hameli, UAE Ambassador to South Africa.
The meeting was also attended by South African officials, which included Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula, Minister of Defense and Military Veterans; Jeffrey Radebe, Minister of Energy; Malusi Knowledge Nkanyezi Gigaba, Minister of Home Affairs; Bulelani Gratitude Magwanishe, Deputy Minister of the Department of Trade and Industry, and Saad Cachalia, Ambassador of South Africa to the UAE.
Meanwhile, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs, received Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, South Africa’s Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, at the Emirates Palace on Friday, and discussed ways of boosting cooperation ties and the distinguished joint strategic partnership in defense and military fields.
Mapisa-Nqakula is part of the delegation accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who is currently visiting the UAE.
