MBABANE – Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Pholile Shakantu held bilateral discussions with South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola on the sidelines of the 28th meeting of the SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
Lamola also serves as the Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers.
The talks focused on deepening cooperation between Eswatini and South Africa as well as broader regional security and development priorities.
The two ministers agreed to resume formal talks under the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC), a framework intended to broaden collaboration across a range of sectors and to address shared interests more effectively.
Key topics discussed included migration management, border security, tourism development, cultural diplomacy, and trade facilitation.
Migration governance, while safeguarding borders, was a priority, with both ministers stressing the need for orderly legal processes that support the movement of people for work, study, culture and leisure.
The ministers also stressed the importance of continuing to build on a long history of constructive engagement between the two neighbouring kingdoms. They noted that a well-functioning JBCC would provide a predictable platform for ongoing dialogue, rapid issue resolution, and the alignment of bilateral efforts with broader regional objectives under SADC and the African Union.
Senator Shakantu reaffirmed Eswatini’s commitment to strengthening ties with South Africa, recognising the strong bonds of friendship and cultural ties that link the two countries.
