By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Pholile Shakantu, was warmly received by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan,
The Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a meeting that was set to deepen diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This took place on Wednesday and was said to have marked a series of engagements that are set to elevate the partnership between the two nations.
RELATED: Minister Pholile Shakantu calls for clear legal framework for Asylum seekers
The engagements began with the Minister’s attendance at an event organized by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), which is a government organization dedicated to financing development projects and programs in developing countries through soft loans and grants.
The discussions during this event focused on exploring opportunities to collaborate on initiatives aimed at strengthening economic and social growth.
Minister Shakantu expressed Eswatini’s keen interest in working with the SFD to identify projects that could significantly benefit both nations, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development in advancing shared goals.
Following the development-focused discussions, the Minister participated in a high-profile meeting with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.
This session explored avenues for partnership in humanitarian assistance, with particular attention to programs that could address pressing social and economic challenges.
Eswatini participated in these meetings to leverage on international partnerships to improve the quality of life for emaSwati while also contributing to global development goals.
Moreover, after the events, the Ministers ended the day with a historic signing ceremony, where the two Foreign Ministers formalized a General Cooperation Agreement between their governments.
RELATED: A Bridge to the Future: How Technology Can Elevate Landlocked Countries Like Eswatini
This agreement was said to represent a pivotal step in strengthening the ties that have existed between Eswatini and Saudi Arabia since the establishment of diplomatic relations on April 25, 1999.
This major agreement will set the stage for the development of sector-specific agreements that will further solidify the partnership between the two kingdoms.
During the discussions, Minister Pholile Shakantu and His Royal Highness Prince Faisal engaged in productive dialogues to review the progress of bilateral relations and to explore new avenues for collaboration.
Areas of focus included trade, investment, education, tourism, and cultural exchange. These sectors were identified as critical pillars that could drive mutual growth and create lasting benefits for the peoples of both nations.
In a shared report, the Minister asserted that their conversations were centered around mutual partnership. She said, “Our conversations emphasized the mutual benefits of collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, education, tourism, and cultural exchange.
We are optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead and are committed to working together to realize these prospects.”
Accompanying the Minister is His Royal Highness MP Prince Lindani and other officials.
