DEFENCEWEB
An agreement signed in Pretoria, South Africa, promises to strengthen defense cooperation between Portugal and South Africa.
Portuguese President Marcelo de Sousa met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of a state visit by the European country’s leader in June 2023. The two leaders also pledged cooperation in the fields of science and innovation, education, and energy.
Ramaphosa said Portugal and South Africa “want to learn from each other” as both are involved in peacekeeping.
“In as much as there is a conflict raging in another part of the world, it does not mean we should be deterred from entering into agreements that will bring us closer and cooperate more effectively,” Ramaphosa said, as reported by the SANews agency. “This agreement is a great signal to both countries.”
De Sousa’s visit coincided with the arrival of the Portuguese Navy submarine NRP Arpão in Cape Town, together with the patrol ship NRP Setúbal.