Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Dlamini Zuma honoured by the Belarusian State University

Minsk - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has today, Friday 6 July 2007 been awarded the title of Professor by a leading academic institution in the Republic of Belarus, the Belarusian State University in recognition of her" brilliant merits and exceptional qualities in the service of her country and advancing co-operations between different nations and relations between South Africa and Belarus in particular."

Professor Dlamini Zuma, who accepted the honour "with a sense of pride and humility", addressed the university community and called for greater co-operation between academic institutions in the two countries. She added that "South Africa can learn a lot from Belarus, especially in the investment you have made in the education of your people."

Professor Dlamini Zuma also had meetings with the President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Alexander Lukashenko , held bilateral discussions with her Belarusian counterpart Foreign Minister Sergei Nikolayevich Martynov, which included;

• The status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between both countries including areas of future engagement and co-operation;
• Belarusian support for the promotion of the African agenda;
• Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament;
• The conflict in the Middle- East and Co-operation between the two countries in multilateral fora including the United Nations and the comprehensive reform of the United Nations.
  At the close of the three-day official visit the Professor Dlamini Zuma also held discussions with the chairperson of the House of Representative of the National Assembly, Mr V. Konoplev and the Deputy Chairperson of the Belarusian Union of Women, Dr Morova with whom she explored areas of possible co-operation in further advancing gender issues.

Professor Dlamini Zuma will return to South Africa on Sunday 8 July 2007.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The potential for economic development and interaction with South Africa remains significant, and has, and still could present South African businesses with excellent opportunities.

Current bilateral trade as per Belarusian 2006 statistics is US$ 15 million. South African imports of potassium fertilisers (main import), refrigerators, flax fabrics and spare truck and tractors parts amount to US$ 6 Million. Belarus also exports fully assembled low cost agricultural tractors and large dump trucks for the mining industry. South African exports of diamonds, veneer sheets, organic chemicals, vehicle spare parts and capital goods amounted to US$ 4 Million.

Trade between South Africa and Belarus (all figures in ZAR)

All figures R' 000

Contact: Vincent Hlongwane on +27 82 385 1169

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

6 July 2007