BuaNews (Tshwane)
Bathandwa Mbola
2 October 2008
Pretoria — President Kgalema Motlanthe on Thursday welcomed five new Heads of Mission who will represent their countries in South Africa.
President Motlanthe received letters of credence at the Union Buildings from Moumouni Fabre of Bukina Faso; Gudmundur Ericksson of the Republic of Iceland; Gaoussou Toure of the Republic of Guinea; Elio Menzione of Italy and Angel Villa Hernandez who will represent Cuba here.
Receiving credentials for the first time as President of the Republic, President Mothlanthe welcomed each Head of Mission and assured them of South Africa's commitment to improving bilateral relations with their respective countries.
Ambassador Menzione, who represents the Republic of Italy said economic relations had constantly been strengthened in the last few years, but that there was room for further improvement in trade and investment between the two countries.
Ambassador Menzione said he would encourage other companies to invest in South Africa. "My commitment will be to promote among Italian companies a greater awareness of many opportunities offered by this country," he said.
A number of Italian companies have already planted their roots in the South African market including Fiat, Iveco, Parmalat, Duferco, Ferrero Rocher, Magneti Marelli and Techit.
Italy also offered to help South Africa wherever possible in preparing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and with vanguard technologies such as research into renewable energy.
"Let us explore the possibilities of collaborating in these fields," he said.
President Montlanthe appreciated the offer, and joked that as Italy has some of the best football players in the world, perhaps they could boost South Africa's national soccer team.
The countries also share a programme run by the Department of Health in the implementation of a national programme of global response to HIV and AIDS - which provides technical support to public health in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
Thursday's event coincided with the Republic of Guinea 50th anniversary of their independence.
Ambassador Toure used the opportunity to congratulate South Africa for successfully changing its leadership. "You have been able to overcome this test in the long historic evolution of South Africa to maintain the stability and durability of the Constitution order."
President Motlanthe committed that South Africa would continue to work with Guinea in improving the lives of citizens in both countries.
"We are no longer fighting for our independence, instead we are fighting poverty in our communities," said the President.
The ambassador said Guinea was following with particular attention the development of the political, economic and social situation in South Africa.
He noted with satisfaction the development in cooperation between the two countries since the working visit of former President Thabo Mbeki in July 2006.
During the visit, the two countries had reaffirmed their will to place the relationship between them on the rank of a South-South cooperation model.
"Today, several projects are being put in place thanks to that cooperation," he said.
Cooperation between the two countries exists in the domain of agriculture, education, training, trade, mining, transport and immigration.
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