South Africa will set up a fully fledged high commission in New-Zealand’s capital, Wellington, by next year, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said on Monday.
She said preparations for the opening of the new diplomatic mission are already under way.
Dlamini-Zuma met her visiting New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Monday. ”We have discussed the potential that exists between our countries that we have not yet tapped,” she said following the meeting.
Peters said: ”We have a lot of work to do between our two countries for our futures, including people-to-people relations, arts and culture, training and skills, and on our international engagements where we share positions on the contributions we can make.
He added: ”I am here to learn and ensure I leave South Africa with a more committed and enhanced relationship, with a more firm plan to put things into place in 2008 and for the years beyond.”
Thus far, South Africa’s diplomatic representation to the country has been accredited from Australia.
Peters also made a courtesy call to Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on Monday.
New Zealand already has a high commission in Pretoria. — Sapa