Cape Town/Information Office/ 10 March 2017/ HE Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Friday met South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, during his visit to South Africa. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and means of boosting mutual cooperation in investment and trade as well as promoting economic cooperation between the two countries and benefiting from South Africa's experience in organizing the football World Cup.
The meeting discussed the efforts of Qatar and South Africa in preventive diplomacy, mediation and conflict resolution in the region, in addition to issues of common concern.
Speaking to QNA after the meeting, HE the foreign minister expressed his delight to be in South Africa. "We are keen on enhancing our bilateral ties on all fronts and we have complete confidence in the South African economy that has the capacity to benefit both countries." On terrorism, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani voiced his regret over the spread of the phenomenon, saying that the number of youths who are subject to recruitment by extremist groups is on the rise. "We must limit that by examining the causes of this phenomenon in order to radically eliminate it." In turn, the South African minister stressed her confidence in the contribution of Qatar and South Africa to peace efforts and reiterated its trust in Qatar's ability to successfully stage the 2022 World Cup.
Bilateral ties between the two countries initiated in 1994 and blossomed at the political and economic levels. Qatar and South Africa share several policies and points of view that constitute a basic pillar of bilateral ties and mutual cooperation between them.
The two countries participate in supporting peacekeeping operations and preventing conflicts through preventive diplomacy.