South Africa – Conversation between the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and his South African counterpart (25 Mar. 2022)

The Minister spoke today with his South African counterpart, Dr. Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, about the repercussions of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The two ministers addressed our countries’ coordinated efforts to obtain an immediate cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians. They agreed on the need for international mobilization on the coming food crisis – a direct consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – in the countries that most depend on Ukraine and Russia for their food supplies, notably in Africa and the Middle East. The FARM (Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission) initiative announced by President Macron yesterday will provide a framework to mitigate the effects of that crisis, organize solidarity-based efforts, incentivize investments in production and establish trade rules, working hand-in-hand with the relevant countries and appropriate organizations.

France and South Africa, which worked closely together on solidarity-based mechanisms relating to Covid-19 vaccination, pledged to continue their cooperation in order to confront this new global food security crisis.

Lastly, the minister lauded the intensity of our bilateral economic relationship and new investments in South Africa by French companies, announced at the South Africa Investment Conference in Johannesburg on March 24.