The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, is currently on a Working Visit to Turkey, taking part in the inaugural Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), 18 – 20 June 2021.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) stated:
“The event, which is being held under the auspices of the President of Turkey, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is an initiative by the government of Turkey to provide a platform for political, economic, bureaucratic and intellectual leaders who deal with diplomacy.
The Deputy Minister will participate in the panel, “Turkey-Africa Cooperation Opportunities”, on 19 June 2021, hosted by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIKC).
The visit presents an opportunity to inject momentum in the bilateral relations between South Africa and Turkey. South Africa is seeking to re-engage and boost relations as part of the post-COVID rebuilding.”
South Africa at Antalya Diplomacy Forum
Deputy Minister Alvin Botes in a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister of Venezuela, Jorge Arreaza.
Deputy Minister Alvin Botes meeting with Deputy Minister Ambassador Sedat Önal, of Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A bilateral agreement between 2 countries, is an agreement which affects both reciprocally. Diplomacy is the conduct of relations in a peaceful manner, or rather – the skill required for the management of international relations.
The United States Department of State’s 2020 report on the human rights practices of Turkey cites “Significant human rights issues”.
Bilateral agreements and diplomacy do not necessarily go hand in hand with peace, prosperity and social development. It is hoped that South Africa will gain positively for its citizens by attending this event.
