27
Oct
Minh expressed this desire when meeting with South African ambassador to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Pakamisa Augustine Sifuba who presented his letter of credence recently.
“As Asean pushes ahead to build the Economic Community in 2015, the expansion of its external relations with new and emerging partners especially countries and organisations from Africa and Latin America is high on the bloc’s agenda,” he said.
Sifuba said South Africa was keen to explore further cooperation with Asean in areas including trade, investment, people-to-people contact, South-South cooperation and sharing of experiences in regional economic integration.
Minh and Sifuba also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern such as the United Nations (UN) reforms and international efforts to promote non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
They underlined the importance of maintaining peace and stability to create a conducive environment for development in the two regions, and enhancing coordination in wider international forums such as the UN and the G-20.
Sifuba succeeded Noel N Lehoko who completed his tenure as South African ambassador to Asean in December last year.
Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/world/article/asean-wants-stronger-ties-with-africa#sthash.LjxyRN9c.dpuf