Issued by: The Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE SECOND SESSION OF THE JOINT COMMISSION ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Cooperation between South Africa and the Russian Federation in the areas of science and technology is set to intensify following the second meeting of the Joint Russian-South African Commission Cooperation in Moscow on 28 June to 1 July 1998. Co-chaired by Deputy Minister Vyacheslav Alimpiev of the Russian Federation and Mr Roger Jardine, Director-general of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology of the Republic of South Africa, science and technology cooperation was reviewed and ways were discussed to improve efficiency in research and development areas of mutual benefit.
Among other things, the Commission discussed cooperation in areas such as nuclear research, bio-technology and science and technology policy matters. In nuclear research for instance, 27 papers were published and 19 exchange visits took place. In geology, 5 exchange visits joint projects and 7 publications were prepared.
On improving and intensifying cooperation, Mr Jardine said "it is of mutual interest to diversify our funding mechanisms and to better share our resources - especially to the benefit of South Africans who have not had the opportunity of participating in science and technology partnerships with Russian scientists". At the meeting, the scene was set to launch more projects and it was envisaged that more exchange visits and joint seminars will be held in the near future. A working group was established to look into ways and means to improve technology transfer and the commercialisation of research and development results.
Mr Jardine also said, "I am confident that collaboration will be of great benefit to South African Science and Technology. The spirit of mutual understanding and respect that prevailed during the commission was oustanding".
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY IN MOSCOW PRETORIA 1 JULY 1998