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Austria a 'valued partner of South Africa' - President Ramaphosa | SAnews

Published 11 hours ago3 minute read

Friday, July 4, 2025

President Ramaphosa and Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warmly welcomed Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on his historic State Visit to South Africa.

This marks the first time an Austrian Head of State has visited the country since the dawn of democracy in 1994.

During a media briefing following officials talks between the two countries, President Ramaphosa reflected on the central-European country’s contribution to the fight against apartheid.

“Your Excellency, it’s an honour to have you here and I welcome you to South Africa. This is the first time that an Austrian Head of State has visited democratic South Africa.

“In our official talks, we took the opportunity to thank the Austrian people for their support during our struggle for democracy.

“We believe that this solidarity they pledged to the people of South Africa as they struggled against apartheid has laid a firm basis for our bilateral cooperation. 

“Your visit marks a new chapter for the relations between Austria and South Africa, as we seek to deepen investment and trade between our two countries,” President Ramaphosa said.

South Africa is Austria’s biggest trade partner in Africa, with nearly a third of all exports to the continent reaching South Africa shores.

Meanwhile, more 25% of all African exports to Austria are from South Africa.

“We have acknowledged the presence of more than 70 Austrian companies with subsidiaries and agencies in South Africa.

“Later today, [President Van der Bellen] and I will be participating in a high-level business forum that will explore the numerous ways and avenues for deepening cooperation and bilateral investments and trade between our two countries.

“South Africa welcomes the Republic of Austria’s ongoing commitment to our country’s development and to our efforts to drive inclusive growth and job creation,” President Ramaphosa said.

The two countries signed two memoranda of understanding on consular affairs and technical vocational education, as well as sharing reflections on the impact of geopolitical events.

“We affirmed the importance of multilateralism as we strive to realise a world free from conflict and war. We share the belief that the institutions of global governance, and particularly the United Nations Security Council, must be reformed to meet the challenges and realities of the world today. 

“We took this opportunity to discuss the theme we have chosen for South Africa’s G20 Presidency, namely ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’. It envisages a world order in which every person, every community and every country has equal opportunity to progress and to thrive.

“From our discussions today, it is clear that this is an aspiration that Austria and South Africa share. Austria is a valued partner of South Africa. This State Visit will further deepen our longstanding cooperation and strengthen the ties between our two peoples,” President Ramaphosa said. –

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