U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is attending high-level talks in South Africa, where she is calling for deeper ties between South Africa and the United States.

Clinton noted South Africa's growing influence on the world stage during a strategic dialogue Tuesday between U.S. and South African officials in the capital, Pretoria.

The talks are centered on economic cooperation, security, HIV/AIDS, and crises in countries such as Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Clinton acknowledged the countries hold different positions on some issues.

“We do not always see eye-to-eye on these issues. I don't know two people who always do, and certainly not two nations and sometimes we will disagree as friends do, but what's important is that this dialogue provides us a mechanism to keep working through all of the issues together.” ))

A senior U.S. official says Clinton is urging South Africa to support U.N. Security Council action against the Syrian government for its bloody crackdown on rebels.

South Africa has abstained from voting on such measures, effectively backing vetoes by Russia and China.

Clinton is on an 11-day tour of sub-Saharan Africa. The diplomat has largely focused on security and increased U.S. trade and investment in the continent.

South Africa is Africa's largest economic power and a major market for U.S. goods.