Blinken hails 'new chapter' on SA visit
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has hailed his visit to South Africa as the start of a new chapter in relations between the two countries.
Blinken held talks with International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor in Pretoria on Monday.
His visit comes as Washington scales up diplomacy to counter Russian influence on the continent,
It also follows hot on the heels of an extensive tour of Africa by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Blinken says South Africa and the US's long-standing partnership is based on shared values and mutual priorities, including strengthening democracy, peace and security.
"We are dealing both of us with an incredibly challenging time. The world faces threats from disease, climate change, food insecurity, and violence. What can archive together as two leading democracies I think is even more urgent."
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Pandor says economic recovery should be at the centre of the partnership.
She says the different views held by the two countries on some issues won't weaken the bond.
"We must continuously reinforce our common commitment to multilateralism, democracy and human rights and use the proven tools of diplomacy, peace-building dialogue and mediation to resolve conflict and end the intolerable and unnecessary human suffering as a result of wars and other forms of conflict."
Blinken, who landed in South Africa on Sunday, is on a three-nation African tour.
