President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning arrived in Switzerland for a two-day State Visit at the invitation of President Karin Keller-Sutter of the Swiss Confederation.
The President was received at Zurich International Airport by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola South African Ambassador to Switzerland, Phaswana Moloto and Ambassador Terrence Billeter of the Swiss Confederation.
The visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic cooperation, and advance partnerships in science, technology, arts and culture, and youth skills development.
Speaking on the significance of the visit, the Presidency highlighted that the engagement will promote mutually beneficial cooperation and inclusive growth between the two countries.
Tomorrow, President Ramaphosa will hold official talks with President Keller-Sutter on a range of bilateral issues, including South Africa's upcoming G20 Presidency.
The programme will include the signing of two agreements - a Cooperation Agreement in Arts, Culture and Heritage and a Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Peace Mediation and Democracy Resilience.
"The agreements will strengthen cultural ties, explore new cooperation initiatives under domestic law and promote joint efforts in peace-making and mediation within multilateral organisations," the Presidency said.
As part of the visit, the South African Government will receive a number of heritage artefacts of the Nkuna Royal Family from the Government of Switzerland, reinforcing the shared cultural and historical ties between the two nations.