French President Macron in Pretoria to deepen relations, discuss Covid-19 response
The visit comes after Ramaphosa joined other African leaders in Paris earlier this month for a summit hosted by Macron to discuss ways to support struggling African economies hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic.
PRETORIA, May 28 (ANA) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was on Friday hosting French leader Emmanuel Macron who is on a state visit to strengthen bilateral relations and also discuss other international issues, his office said.
As the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, the two leaders will also visit the vaccine production support initiative for Africa at the University of Pretoria in South Africa’s capital, the Presidency said in a statement.
The visit comes after Ramaphosa joined other African leaders in Paris earlier this month for a summit hosted by Macron to discuss ways of supporting struggling African economies ravaged by the pandemic.
Ramaphosa and Macron will talk about post-Covid-19 recovery, including further discussions under the ACT Accelerator, a temporary World Trade Organisation intellectual property waiver, and the future production of Covid-19 and other vaccines in South Africa and the rest of the continent.
“The visit aims to deepen bilateral cooperation within the framework of the strategic partnership between South Africa and France and within the framework of existing bilateral agreements,” the Presidency said.
“The engagement also aims to deepen understanding regarding multilateral and global issues of mutual concern, such as the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council.”
The two leaders are also set to discuss the establishment of a framework of cooperation between Africa and the United Nations and its agencies on ensuring peace and security on the continent, as well as trade and investment, including technical skills training in South Africa in collaboration with the private sector.
South Africa is France’s largest trading partner in Africa, while France is South Africa’s second largest trading partner in the European Union.
During an investment conference in 2019, French companies pledged to pour R20 billion (US$1.4 billion) into South Africa.
The South African and French leaders will also lead a seminar on manufacturing vaccines in Africa which will include dialogue with scientists and industry leaders.
“This session will address questions such as what the experience has been in managing Covid-19 and what needs to be done to strengthen the public health system and in addressing the pandemics in Africa,” the Presidency said.
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa
