On 1 March 2021, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs, had an online conversation with the new non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) to Latvia, Brigitte Sylvia Mabandla.
The State Secretary congratulated the Ambassador on her new post and confirmed Latvia’s interest in intensifying political dialogue and the exchange of visits between the two countries when the epidemiological conditions permit. The RSA Ambassador underlined the need for strengthening people-to-people contacts and the economic ties between the countries, and she welcomed the opportunity to work with Latvia in the areas of mutual interest.
The officials agreed that the sectors of information and communication technologies and tourism have good potential for the development of further cooperation. The State Secretary and the Ambassador also discussed cooperation in international organisations and exchanged views on the latest consular issues. Andris Pelšs asked the RSA to review the requirements which apply to Latvian nationals who travel to South Africa.
The Ambassador of South Africa resides in Stockholm, Sweden. A remote accreditation with the President of Latvia, Egils Levits, will be held on 3 March.