Date: 09/06/2005
Source: Department of Home Affairs
Title: Gigaba: National Day Celebration of Russian Federation
Address by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Malusi Gigaba, on the occasion of the National Day Celebration of the Russian Federation, held in Pretoria
Ambassador and Mrs Kushakov
Your Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great honour and pleasure for me, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, to convey to you, Mr Ambassador, our warmest congratulations on the celebration of your country’s National Day on Sunday, 12 June.
Mr Ambassador, South Africa is proud to have such a strong, consistent and strategic partner in our efforts to develop our countries and do whatever we can to ensure that our continent and other poor regions of the world realise their goals of sustainable development and growth.
Together our countries have used the Intergovernmental Trade and Economic Committee (ITEC) effectively to consolidate and expand our co-operation at various levels of government, business, science and technology institutions and many other formations of civil society. We are particularly satisfied to see that good progress has been made between South Africa and the Russian Federation in the strategically important areas of minerals and energy over the past year. The recent high-level interaction between our two countries, especially in the areas of mining and strategic minerals, bears testimony to this. Since we have established this Bi-national Commission, we have also entered into numerous Co-operation agreements and additional agreements are in the process of negotiation.
One example is the Agreement on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy that was signed between our two countries during the Fourth session of ITEC in Pretoria in November last year.
We are looking forward to increased co-operation in space research in order to move the frontiers of humanity into deep space. In this context we would welcome a visit by Russian scientists to South Africa in order to assist us in our bid to host the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope (SKA) and also to pay a visit to the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) at Sutherland.
Your Excellency, jointly we have an important mission to substantially strengthen the trade, economic and investment relations between our countries. We should also endeavour to add further impetus to our relations in the cultural area.
Mr Ambassador, South Africa and the Russian Federation, together have an abiding duty to ensure that the changes that are effected at the United Nations and other multilateral institutions address the global challenge of inequality between all nations and regions. We should continue to work together so that these institutions are transformed in such a way that empowers us to defeat the scourge of poverty, insecurity and underdevelopment on the African Continent.
We in South Africa are also aware of Russia’s unwavering support for the objectives of the African Renaissance, especially with reference to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) programme. In this regard, your country’s assistance within the context of the G8 group of countries could substantially enhance the goals of the NEPAD programme. We also look forward to continue our strategic relationship, especially in terms of the critical aspects of United Nations Security Council reform so that Africa’s voice could be heard strongly in the international community.
I am convinced that the possibilities for further co-operation between South Africa and the Russian Federation are limitless, and that our common vision for a more secure world would enable us to identify and seize these opportunities to enhance the creation of wealth for our respective peoples.
Allow me, Mr Ambassador, to propose a toast to your President and country, their health and prosperity.
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
9 June 2005
Source: Department of Home Affairs
Title: Gigaba: National Day Celebration of Russian Federation
Address by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Malusi Gigaba, on the occasion of the National Day Celebration of the Russian Federation, held in Pretoria
Ambassador and Mrs Kushakov
Your Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great honour and pleasure for me, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, to convey to you, Mr Ambassador, our warmest congratulations on the celebration of your country’s National Day on Sunday, 12 June.
Mr Ambassador, South Africa is proud to have such a strong, consistent and strategic partner in our efforts to develop our countries and do whatever we can to ensure that our continent and other poor regions of the world realise their goals of sustainable development and growth.
Together our countries have used the Intergovernmental Trade and Economic Committee (ITEC) effectively to consolidate and expand our co-operation at various levels of government, business, science and technology institutions and many other formations of civil society. We are particularly satisfied to see that good progress has been made between South Africa and the Russian Federation in the strategically important areas of minerals and energy over the past year. The recent high-level interaction between our two countries, especially in the areas of mining and strategic minerals, bears testimony to this. Since we have established this Bi-national Commission, we have also entered into numerous Co-operation agreements and additional agreements are in the process of negotiation.
One example is the Agreement on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy that was signed between our two countries during the Fourth session of ITEC in Pretoria in November last year.
We are looking forward to increased co-operation in space research in order to move the frontiers of humanity into deep space. In this context we would welcome a visit by Russian scientists to South Africa in order to assist us in our bid to host the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope (SKA) and also to pay a visit to the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) at Sutherland.
Your Excellency, jointly we have an important mission to substantially strengthen the trade, economic and investment relations between our countries. We should also endeavour to add further impetus to our relations in the cultural area.
Mr Ambassador, South Africa and the Russian Federation, together have an abiding duty to ensure that the changes that are effected at the United Nations and other multilateral institutions address the global challenge of inequality between all nations and regions. We should continue to work together so that these institutions are transformed in such a way that empowers us to defeat the scourge of poverty, insecurity and underdevelopment on the African Continent.
We in South Africa are also aware of Russia’s unwavering support for the objectives of the African Renaissance, especially with reference to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) programme. In this regard, your country’s assistance within the context of the G8 group of countries could substantially enhance the goals of the NEPAD programme. We also look forward to continue our strategic relationship, especially in terms of the critical aspects of United Nations Security Council reform so that Africa’s voice could be heard strongly in the international community.
I am convinced that the possibilities for further co-operation between South Africa and the Russian Federation are limitless, and that our common vision for a more secure world would enable us to identify and seize these opportunities to enhance the creation of wealth for our respective peoples.
Allow me, Mr Ambassador, to propose a toast to your President and country, their health and prosperity.
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
9 June 2005
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