President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa, the President of the Portuguese Republic, on a State Visit to South Africa. The visit, which took place on 6th June 2023, aimed to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.
South Africa has a significant population of approximately 500,000 people of Portuguese descent, while around 200,000 Portuguese nationals have made South Africa their permanent home. This community serves as a vital economic link between the two countries, contributing to the close ties and cooperation.
The bilateral relations between South Africa and Portugal cover a wide range of areas, reflecting the strength of their cooperation. Last year, the 7th Bilateral Consultations were held in Portugal on 24th June 2022, co-chaired by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr. Alvin Botes, and Portuguese Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr. Francisco Andre.
During the State Visit, several agreements were signed between South Africa and Portugal, highlighting their commitment to deepening collaboration in various fields. The agreements serve as a foundation for further cooperation and pave the way for mutually beneficial partnerships.