President Thabo Mbeki has conveyed his ”warmest congratulations” to the United Kingdom’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.
South Africa was convinced Brown would build on the United Kingdom’s constructive engagement in Africa, not only bilaterally, but through the European Union and the Group of Eight, said foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa.
Brown, the former chancellor of the exchequer, met Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday when she tasked him with forming a new government. Brown succeeds Tony Blair.
Brown received congratulations on Wednesday from, among others, United States President George Bush.
He has promised to lead ”a new government with new priorities”.
Foreign affairs said South Africa’s traditionally sound relations with Britain had ”intensified significantly” since the Labour Party came to power in 1997.
”The United Kingdom is a trusted and valued partner of South Africa and has played a constructive role in helping South Africa to take up its rightful role in the international community after years of isolation,” said Mamoepa.
”The strategic partnership and cooperation between the United Kingdom and South Africa are reflected in the strong and growing relations across various sectors as diverse as defence, education, science and technology and development cooperation.”
Mamoepa said the Britain was one of South Africa’s key economic partners globally with increasing bilateral trade relations and investment.
It remained the largest single foreign investor in South Africa.
”The United Kingdom has made a valuable contribution towards South Africa’s endeavours to create sustainable economic growth, combat poverty and to create a better life for all South Africa’s people,” he said. — Sapa