8th political consultations between Croatia, South Africa

On December 10, 2024, the 8th political consultations between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of South Africa were held in Zagreb. These consultations were the first at the level of deputy minister/state secretary.
 
The Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Alvin Botes, was hosted by Frano Matušić, State Secretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, who began by congratulating him on South Africa's recent assumption of the G20 presidency.
 
The discussions included a review of potential areas for further bilateral cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and educational fields. Priority areas for closer collaboration were identified as the electrical industry, robotics in mining and demining, green transition, tourism, and cooperation in skill enhancement and best practices (skills mobility). The South African side was invited to participate as a partner country in the tourism fair Place to Go, scheduled to take place in Zagreb in late March 2025. Visa liberalization for Croatian citizens was emphasized as a priority, as it would remove a major obstacle to greater business and professional exchange between the two countries. The Croatian diaspora in South Africa, fully integrated into South African society, was also mentioned as an additional link between the two nations.
 
Current security challenges on the African continent were discussed. Deputy Minister Botes stressed that these challenges should be addressed through a regional approach (regional organizations, the African Union, and the UN). In addition to peacebuilding, constructive post-conflict efforts are critical for full stabilization, without which new conflicts could emerge, as seen in Sudan and the Sahel. Both sides highlighted the importance of mutual support in elections for international bodies and expressed agreement on the need to reform the multilateral system.
 
During his visit to Zagreb, Botes delivered a lecture at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs on the opportunities and challenges of the strategic partnership between the European Union and South Africa. He also met with Josip Bilaver, State Secretary for the Sea and EU Funds at the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, as well as Antonio Bebek, Director for Industry and Mining at the Ministry of Economy. Additionally, he visited, along with his delegation, the Rimac Automobili company.

Press releases