MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DR NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA TO PAY AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs

16 July 2002

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will visit the Russian Federation from 18 to 21 July 2002.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will be accompanied by senior officials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs; Trade and Industry; and Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.

It is expected that Minister Dlamini Zuma will meet with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, during which the Minister will convey a personal message from President Mbeki and also inform President Putin of developments in South Africa, the region and Continent.

On 19 July 2002, Minister Dlamini Zuma will hold Political Consultations with Russian Foreign Minister, Dr Igor Ivanov. This follows the visit to South Africa during December 2001 by Minister Ivanov and will serve as a preparatory meeting to the envisaged State Visit to South Africa by President Putin.

Discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Ivanov will include the outcome of the recent launch of the African Union, the progress being made on the implementation of NEPAD as well as other developments in South Africa and on the Continent.

A Special Representative of Minister Ivanov attended the launch of the African Union during which he conveyed a personal message of support from President Putin to President Mbeki.

Further, Russia is a member of the G8 and the G8 Working Group that is focused on NEPAD. During the recent G8 Summit in Kananaskis Canada, President Putin supported the adoption of the Africa Action Plan. Given Russia's close involvement with these processes, Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Ivanov will exchange views on further practical cooperation between Africa and the Russian Federation.

The next meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) as well as further progress in the field of science and technology and bilateral trade will also be discussed.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will visit both Moscow and St Petersburg during which time she will meet with dignitaries, decision-makers including business leaders and experts in the fields of science and technology.

Background

Discussions between Minister Dlamini Zuma and her Russian counterpart will focus on the following:

Bilateral Issues

• Political

1. 1. To further strengthen bilateral relations between South Africa and the Russian Federation through the various bilateral programmes.
2. 2. Minister Dlamini Zuma will specifically brief her counterpart on the objectives and the latest developments on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
3. 3. The Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation will brief his South African counterpart on his country's views on developments in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS); NATO and its position vis-0-vis expansion; as well as on developments in the conflict areas in Europe, the Caucasus and Afghanistan.

• Economic

1. 1. The Ministers will discuss existing bilateral economic relations as well as measures that could further strengthen trade and the removal of trade barriers.
2. 2. Trade between South Africa and the Russian Federation has steadily increased.

Trade between South Africa and Russia (South African statistics)

R'million

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

Total

Exports

37

375

218

177

314

406

200

284

2 011 254

Imports

0

135

110

322

249

249

565

336

1 966 000

Total Trade

37

510

328

499

563

655

765

620

3 977 254

Trade Balance

37

240

108

-145

65

157

-365

-52

45 254

Export/import

2.8

2.0

0.5

1.3

1.6

0.4

0.8

1.0

• Multilateral

1. 1. The Ministers will explore measures aimed at deepening cooperation in various multilateral fora, including at the United Nations, in particular with the objective to obtain support for a multi-polar world. The Ministers will also discuss issues of international significance, such as the reform of the United Nations.
2. 2. The Ministers will exchange ideas on cooperation in the area of conflict resolution in Africa.
3. 3. Disarmament and the problems of small arms proliferation in Africa.
4. 4. The situation in the Middle East.
5. 5. International terrorism.

Bilateral Relations

• Then Deputy President Mbeki paid an official visit to Russia during 1998
• This was followed by a State Visit to the Russian Federation in 1999 by former President Mandela. During this visit, Presidents Mandela and Yeltsin signed a Declaration on Principles of Friendly Relations and Partnership that led to protracted negotians towards a Friendship Treaty. The Treaty was initialled by Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Ivanov during the visit to South Africa of Minister Ivanov during December 2001 and it will be signed by Presidents Mbeki and Putin during the latter's State Visit to South Africa. The Friendship Treaty encompasses the full spectrum of relations between South Africa and Russia.
• Minister Ivanov paid an official visit to South Africa in December 2001 and engaged in bilateral discussions with Minister Dlamini Zuma on 15 December 2001. During this meeting a Programme of Cooperation (POC) in the Fields of Arts and Culture for thears 2002 - 2004 was signed by the Minister and her Russian counterpart.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853