President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday officially welcomed five diplomats appointed to represent their respective countries in South Africa.
The diplomats are from the republics of India, Seychelles and Suriname, the Kingdom of Denmark and the Sultanate of Oman.
Handing over a letter of credence to Mbeki in his Tuynhuys, Cape Town office, Ambassador Dan Frederiksend of Denmark reminded the president about the role played by that country in South Africa’s struggle for liberation.
”During the difficult times before a democratic South Africa saw the light, Denmark, together with other international partners, supported the fight against apartheid that caused misery to so many South Africans,” he said.
Frederiksend told Mbeki that Denmark was impressed with the sterling role played by the president on the international stage.
”Your personal engagement in international and regional issues is regarded with great respect — not least with regard to the pivotal role played by yourself in the launch of the African Renaissance, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and indeed the birth of the African Union,” he said.
Welcoming the diplomats, Mbeki said their deployment would contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations between South Africa and their countries.
He told Ambassador Khalid Ba’Omar of Oman that apart from deepening relations between the two countries, his stay in the country meant that South Africa would be better informed about developments in the Middle East.
”It means we will get a better understanding of issues in the Middle East — this will help us take correct positions with regards to countries such as Palestine and so on,” Mbeki said.
High Commissioner Rajiv Bhatai of India told Mbeki his country was proud of the depth of the multi-dimensional relationship between the two countries.
”Since 1994, the conclusion of thirty five bilateral agreements and the successful management of various bilateral programmes of cooperation have been a source of satisfaction to both sides,” he said.
Mbeki said the fact that the South African government would soon be recruiting information technology and communication (ICT) teachers from India to come and teach in the country demonstrated some of the benefits coming out of the good relations between the two countries.
Other diplomats received by Mbeki included High Commissioner Noellie Alexander of the Seychelles and Ambassador Edward Braaifheid of Suriname. — Sapa