By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor says South Africa remains deeply concerned about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Pandor hosted her Ukrainian counterpart, Minister Dmytro Kubela in Pretoria.
“We believe the only path to peace is through diplomacy, dialogue and commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter, including the principle that all Member States shall settle their disputes by peaceful means, and many people forget this particular provision of the UN Charter.”
Africa has been witness to numerous conflicts and overcame difficult wars over the years, She said.
“All conflict has devastating effects on the countries involved. The effects are felt both politically, as well as economically and in terms of the development opportunities for often innocent citizens.”
“As a continent, we continue to strive to build peace; strive to work toward developing a culture of peaceful resolution of conflict, and the promotion of the importance of diplomacy and peace as the route to resolving any dispute.”
“We are in discussion with our own leader, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to look at how we can have a greater impetus to the Africa Peace Initiative to address our concerns with respect to this war,” added Pandor.
Ramaphosa led the African peace mission to Ukraine and Russia, where both countries were encouraged to enter a peaceful dialogue that would end the conflict.
Regarding the unfolding tragedy in the Middle East, Pandor urged the international community to be louder in voicing a call for the immediate cessation of hostilities.
“We’re meeting at a time when the world is experiencing a grave escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The carnage and senseless destruction of property, as well as the untold pain and suffering on all sides, should be condemned unreservedly,” Pandor said.
The unfolding events, she said, reminded South Africa of its own suffering at the hands of the apartheid machinery.
“Therefore, we call for an immediate end of hostilities, unconditional provision of medical supplies and humanitarian aid. It has thus become more urgent that the relevant UN resolutions and decisions are fully executed to ensure peaceful co-existence between Israel and Palestine for sustained peace.”
Kubela said he was happy that he is the first Ukrainian Foreign Minister to visit South Africa since 1998.
“On the other hand, I am unhappy that the pause in high-level bilateral contacts between foreign ministers has taken so long. We should commit today never to allow this to happen again, and to have regular political dialogue between our countries.”
Kubela said the leaders will not only discuss bilateral relations between Ukraine and South Africa but also the larger regional perspective of African politics and development.
He briefed his counterpart on the situation on the front and the devastating consequences of Russian armed aggression against Ukraine.
Kubela highly praised South Africa’s involvement in the promotion of the Ukrainian Peace Formula proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Ukrainian minister invited the South African side to take part in the Global Peace Summit.
In addition, Ukrainian and South African representatives discussed the intensification of cooperation in the digitalization of public services. Kuleba expressed Ukraine’s willingness to share its experience of the ‘state in a smartphone’.
The Ukrainian side also offered to hold a business forum in Kyiv in the near future, involving Ukrainian and South African businesses, in order to increase trade turnover and implement mutually beneficial economic projects.
The two ministers agreed to hold regular political consultations between the foreign affairs ministries and top diplomats.
The parties also considered cooperation between Ukraine and South Africa within the framework of the African Union, intensified communication with African countries, and Ukraine’s involvement in the African mechanisms of free trade.
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Video Courtesy of SABC.