Wednesday 18 de july de 2018

Information for the Press N°: 297/18

18 July 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela, the South African leader who dedicated his life to the fight for freedom and equal rights in his country and opposed the apartheid segregation system, for which he served 27 years in prison.

Between May 1994 and June 1999, he served as President of South Africa and, in that capacity, he paid a historic visit to Argentina on 22-24 July 1998. Between 1986 and 1991, Argentina's diplomatic relations with South Africa had been suspended by the Argentine Government in opposition to apartheid.

Nelson Mandela is a universally admired personality, because of his commitment to the values of democracy, freedom, non-discrimination, peaceful resolution of political and inter-racial conflicts, human rights promotion, reconciliation and the fight for peace.

Argentina and South Africa hold long-standing friendship ties, which are reflected in a close bilateral relationship. Both peoples have pursued a long path to the consolidation of democracy. In addition, at the international level, they share positions at political and economic fora. Argentina values South Africa's regional leadership and welcomes the commitment to working jointly on issues of shared interest on the global agenda.