Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
The Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Aziz Pahad, held discussions with the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr Igor Ivanov and Mr Alexander Avdeyev, the First Deputy Foreign Minister in Moscow on 20 November 1998. The discussions, which took place in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, mainly centered on developments in the Southern African Development Community, Africa and Europe.
As far as bilateral relations are concerned, it was agreed that political consultations between the two Foreign Ministries should be strengthened and that bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, science and technology and minerals and energy should be accelerated. These issues would be the focus of the bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Primakov and Deputy President Mbeki, during the latter's forthcoming visit to Moscow.
Deputy Minister Pahad briefed his counterpart on recent developments relating to SADC and encouraged Russia to pursue closer dialogue and practical economic and development cooperation within the region. It was agreed that consolidation of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights would be best achieved in a climate of peace and stability.
In this context, developments in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were also discussed at length, during which the Russian Government expressed its full support for current diplomatic initiatives launched by SADC to bring about solutions to the conflicts in these countries. As regards Angola, concern was expressed about the deteriorating peace and security situation.
It was agreed that the Lusaka Accord remained the only viable option to a negotiated settlement and the Deputy Minister urged the Russian Government, as a member of the Troika, to intensify their efforts for peace and stability in Angola, in the interest of the region. Peace-keeping efforts in Africa in general were also discussed and it was agreed that it should take place under the auspices of the UN and OAU. The Deputy Minister encouraged the Russian Government, given its expertise in peace-keeping operations, to contribute to capacity-building and support-measures in this field in Africa.
As regards Europe, the Deputy Minister briefed the Russian delegation on the current status of South Africa's negotiations with the EU on a Free Trade and Development Agreement and expressed the hope that these negotiations would be concluded in the near future. The Russian side briefed the Deputy Minister on current and future political, economic and security changes in Europe and in particular, explained their position on Kosovo and the question of NATO's eastward expansion.
As regards NATO, the Russian Government also expressed its concern about attempts to erode the prerogatives of the UN Security Council. A situation should be avoided where the powers of a universal body are being usurped by a regional one.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 20 NOVEMBER 1998