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Minister Tsahkna in South Africa: we can help bring deported Ukrainian children home together

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

12.11.2024

From 10 to 12 November, Margus Tsahkna is on a visit to South Africa, the first Estonian foreign minister to do so, and today he met with his South African colleague Ronald Lamola to discuss closer bilateral ties and global security issues.

At the meeting, Tsahkna said he was glad that relations between Estonia and South Africa have become closer recently, especially on economic cooperation. "We are very interested in advancing business relations and this is why I am accompanied by a business delegation," he said, adding that visa-free travel to South Africa for Estonian citizens would contribute to boosting economic relations.

Speaking about Russia's aggression in Ukraine, Tsahkna explained Estonia's positions to his South African counterpart, stating that every Estonian could share a story of what the loss of freedom means, and Russia has not changed its ambitions. He called on South Africa to join Ukraine's peace plan based on international law and the UN Charter. "The deportation of Ukrainian children is one of the most horrendous crimes that Russia has committed in its nearly 1000-day aggression," Tsahkna said, suggesting Estonia and South Africa look for ways to cooperate on bringing back the Ukrainian children who have been deported to Russia.

After his meeting with Lamola, Tsahkna attended a reception held at the Polish Embassy in Pretoria to celebrate Poland's Independence Day, noting that Estonia and Poland were linked by close personal ties. "Estonia and Poland are friends and like-minded Allies in NATO and partners in the European Union. We are happy to boost our cooperation in South Africa."

Tomorrow, Tsahkna and the Estonian business delegation will attend the AfricaTechFestival in Cape Town, meet with South Africa's IT Minister Solly Malatsi and open an honorary consul's office in Cape Town.