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Minister Dlamini Zuma Opens SA-Russia Ministerial Meeting
In Russia Sochi- The SA-Russia Inter-governmental Trade and Economic
Committee (ITEC) on Thursday 19 July began its proceedings in Sochi, a region
of the Russian Federation under the leadership of South African Foreign Minister
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Russian Minister of Natural Resources Yuri Trutnev. Minister
Dlamini Zuma is leading a senior South African officials delegation to the Russian
Federation including Foreign Affairs and Minisreal and Energy Directors-General
Dr. Ayanda Ntsaluba and Adv. Sandile Nogxina respectively within the context of
consolidating bilateral political, economic and trade relations between South
Africa and the Russian Federation. Both Minister Dlamini Zuma and Minister
Trutnev had expressed satisfaction at progress being made following the tabling
of reports from sub-committees of ITEC on water affairs and forestry, minerals
and energy, trade and industry, agriculture, transport and education. In
this regard, the two Ministers agreed to finalise preparations for the signing
of four agreements between South Africa and Russia, namely agriculture, education,
energy and transport by the next meeting ITEC scheduled for Moscow in 2008. The
proposed agriculture agreement will enhance the expansion of export of South African
agricultural products to the Russian Federation, while the proposed Education
agreement will deal with the mutual recognition of qualifications. The proposed
Energy agreement will on the other hand facilitate closer co-operation in the
fields of energy and power-generation. The two Ministers whilst noting the
extend of bilateral economic co-operation between the two countries, emphasized
the need to intensify the involvement of the private sector as driving force behind
enhanced economic c-operation between Russia and South Africa. The Russian
Delegation to ITEC called for support of the South African government in arranging
an Exhibition of Russian goods and Services in South Africa during November 2007. Minister
Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Saturday 21 July 2007. Issued
by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
South African Embassy
Russian Federation 19
July 2007
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