Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
28 September 2000
The Department of Foreign Affairs announces that the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Aziz Pahad, will hold political consultations with his Russian counterpart, Mr. Vassily Sredin, on 29 September 2000 at the Diplomatic Guest House in Waterkloof, Pretoria.
The meeting is aimed at discussing matters of mutual interest between South Africa and the Russian Federation. Some of the issues that will feature on the agenda are:
a.. An overview of bilateral relations – the two sides will discuss ways and means to improve trade between the countries which amounted to US$ 155 million in 1999.
b.. The meetings in New York between Presidents Mbeki and Putin and Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Ivanov during the recent UNGA Millennium Summit. Matters that came under discussion during these meetings included the constructive role played by South Africa in forming a democratic world arrangement; the processes of disarmament; and the strengthening of nuclear non-proliferation. The exchange of views confirmed the similarity of Russia’ s and South Africa’s approaches to key world problems. Agreement was reached to expand and deepen the dialogue in the bilateral and multilateral fields.
c.. The visit to South Africa by the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Igor Ivanov, later this year as well as the State Visit to South Africa during 2001 by President Vladimir Putin.
d.. Finalization of the Treaty on Principles Concerning Friendly Relations and Partnership Between the Republic of South Africa and the Russian Federation. This Treaty provides a framework for cooperation and consultations at Ministerial and officials’ level. The Treaty is of particular importance as it embodies the full range of activities that take place between the two countries, including cooperation in the fight against international crime and terrorism; coordinating endeavours to safeguard the global environment; developing contacts between the respective Parliaments; and cooperation in the field of arts and culture.
e.. Trade and economic cooperation.
f.. Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology – the next session of the Joint Commission on Science and Technology will meet before the end of this year but contact between individual institutions are already taking place on a regular basis.
g.. Multilateral issues such as UN reform and disarmament.
h.. Conflicts in Africa and the Peace Process in the Middle East. The discussions will focus in particular on the continuing conflicts in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The two Deputy Ministers will give particular attention to the development of economic cooperation between South Africa and the Russian Federation and will discuss the dates for the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). Both sides agree that the trade statistics between South Africa and Russia do not reflect the importance of our relations and that the commercial and economic ties must "catch up" with political relations.
For more information contact Basetsana Thokoane
Cell no. 083 443 7740