PRETORIA, South Africa, April 7, 2017/APO/ -- 

International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers has concluded his Working Visit to Central America, where he visited the Republic of El Salvador from 30 March to 01 April and the Republic of Honduras from 02 to 04 April 2017. 

During his visit to El Salvador, the Deputy Minister met with his counterpart, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Integration and Economic Promotion, HE Mr Carlos Castaneda. The two countries emphasized the need for continuous strengthening of bilateral relations in various fields and to focus on new investment opportunities. At the conclusion of the meeting, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations. 

The Deputy Minister also payed a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of El Salvador, H.E. Professor Salvador Sanchez Ceren. The President reaffirmed El Salvador's commitment to building stronger relations with South Africa as the two countries share a similar history. 

Deputy Minister Landers concluded his visit to Central America by visiting the Republic of Honduras. Central America hosts a large part of the African Diaspora. In this regard, Deputy Minister Landers met with the Afro-Descendant Diaspora Community (ODECO) and the National Garifuna Ballet of Honduras. During the meeting, the Deputy Minister confirmed South Africa's commitment to continue working with the African Diaspora in order to preserve the historic ties of the African continent and its diaspora.

Whilst in Honduras, the Deputy Minister also met with his counterpart, Ambassador Maria del Carmen Selman Nasser, Under Secretary of State of Honduras. Deputy Minister Landers emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries as well as working together in multilateral forums.

Deputy Minister Landers and the Under Secretary of State, Ambassador Selman Nasser Selman, agreed on taking the bilateral relations to the next level by creating instruments that will govern it. The two countries agreed to work together to expand trade as there were opportunities for such expansion.  

Distributed by APO on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.