Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday welcomed and received letters of credence from the newly appointed Heads of Mission from several countries across the world at a ceremony held at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. The Heads of Mission-designate from different countries presented their credentials to the President and pledged their commitment to work with South Africa to further advance and strengthen diplomatic relations.
According to South African Government News Agency, Letters of Credence are official diplomatic documents presented to the President by Heads of Mission-designate who have been nominated by their respective governments to serve as ambassadors to South Africa. President Ramaphosa received credentials from 18 Heads of Mission-designates from the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria; the Republic of Chile; the Kingdom of Spain; the Republic of Ecuador; the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; the Kingdom of Thailand; the Democratic Republic of Congo; the Republic of Serbia; the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; the Islamic Republic of Mauritania; the Republic of Argentina; the Republic of Sierra Leone; the Republic of Uzbekistan; the Republic of Liberia; the Kingdom of Sweden; the Republic of the Sudan; the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Zambia.
Ambassador of the Republic of Algeria, Ali Achoui, committed to strengthening the relations of the Republic of Algeria and South Africa. He emphasized the important role both countries play in defending African interests and respecting international law and multilateralism. Achoui highlighted Algeria’s support for the South African Presidency and the upcoming G20 Summit, which will be hosted in Africa for the first time.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, Hose Manuel Garca, expressed a sense of familiarity upon returning to South Africa. He recalled his previous visit with the Spanish Prime Minister three years ago and noted the anticipation of the Spanish Prime Minister to meet President Ramaphosa at the G20 Summit in November.