Spanish secretary of foreign affairs Angel Lossada visited South Africa on Friday on invitation from deputy foreign affairs minister Sue van der Merwe, the department said.

The Fifth Annual Political Consultations between South Africa and Spain was meant to boost political and economic ties between the countries and discussed a wide range of international topics.

"The meeting of the two ministers reaffirmed the strategic partnership between South Africa and Spain and their shared commitment to the values of democracy and good governance, peace and security and development on the African continent," Van der Merwe said.

A plenary session of senior officials from both countries discussed foreign affairs, trade and industry, environmental affairs, tourism, arts and culture, defence and social development.

"The parties confirmed that bilateral relations remain excellent."

The two delegations debated current international developments and "expressed strong support for the active consolidation and promotion of the African Agenda".

Both parties discussed several areas of multilateral action in the African continent where possibilities for co-operation between South Africa and Spain existed.

Both parties agreed to establish an informal dialogue at the technical level to explore avenues of collaboration in the aforesaid initiatives and fora.

"In order to facilitate the flow of information between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ... it was agreed that both sides will carry out an exchange of experts.

"A South African expert will be deployed at the Spanish MAEC, and a Spanish expert will be deployed at the South African DFA, for an appropriate period of time."

South Africa presented a briefing on the latest developments in conflicts on the African continent such as those in Sudan and Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe.

"Both delegations expressed their concern on the socio-economic situation in Zimbabwe and will continue to follow developments actively."

Spain and South Africa stressed the importance of effective multilateralism and the indispensable role of the United Nations in solving global problems.

The parties emphasised that the United Nations should be strengthened through reform to enable it to better deliver on its mandates.

"They agreed that reform should also lead to the democratisation of key UN institutions, including the Security Council, in order to allow the participation of more countries in decision-making. "Development, security and human rights are inter-linked and mutually reinforcing," both delegations said.

The consultation served as the main forum for bilateral exchanges between South Africa and Spain.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between South Africa and Spain in December 2000 and provided the legal framework for bilateral consultations and co-operation.

Sapa