President Lennart Meri received Mrs. Francina Catherina Verwey, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa, who came to present her letters of credence, in the presidential palace in Kadriorg today.

As Ambassador Verwey said, both Estonia and the Republic of South Africa have, during the past decade, undergone fundamental change and could look back with a sense of pride. As the Ambassador said, the Republic of South Africa is closely following Estonia's accession process to the European Union and wishes Estonia every success in the achievement of this objective.

The Ambassador also forwarded the greetings from Thabo Mbeki, the President of the Republic of South Africa.

As President Meri said, in Estonia there is close interest in the life of South Africa. Estonia's long-term democratic tradition – Estonia was a member of the League of Nations – has helped her in understanding this country, as well as the experience of the occupation of the Soviet Union, the world's last colonial power.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, November 25, 1999

back | archive of press releases | main page