Hon Speaker, hon members, South Africa re-established diplomatic relations with Egypt in 1990, and both countries are important members of the African Union. On 4 July 2013, a day after the removal of President Morsi, our Department of International Relations and Co-operation called on the Egyptian Ambassador to express South Africa's concern at the unconstitutional removal of its elected President.
South Africa, consistent with the Constitutive Act of the African Union and its instruments, opposes all forms of unconstitutional change of government. South Africa continues to be guided by the AU Peace and Security Council and the AU High-Level Panel for Egypt.
We are informed that the AU remains engaged with all parties to the conflict in Egypt to find a sustainable resolution to the present political crisis in that country. The Minister of International Relations and Co- operation has met with the Envoy of the Interim President, Ambassador Ibrahim Ali Hassan, on 24 July 2013. The Minister informed Ambassador Hassan that South Africa has not and will not depart from its support for the legitimate aspirationS of the Egyptian people. I thank you for your attention.