His Excellency President Jacob Zuma has, on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, congratulated Mr Tony Abbott on his election to the position of Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.
 
President Zuma wished Mr Abbott well in his new position, and reconfirmed his appreciation of the warm and close relations that exist between South Africa and Australia.
 
President Zuma stated that the South African government is looking forward to working with the new Australian government in consolidating and strengthening the political and economic relations that exist between the two countries, as well as advocating more people-to-people contact.
 
In addition, President Zuma wished Mr Abbott well with the international leadership role that Australia will take in the coming months by assuming the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council this month, chairing the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) in November this year, as well as the G20 in 2014.
 
In these challenging times for the international community, strong leadership is essential and South Africa believes that Australia could provide the necessary direction in this regard. President Zuma, therefore, assured Mr Abbott of South Africa’s support in these international forums.