President Zuma to undertake a Working Visit to the Russian Federation
14 May 2013
The President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, will undertake a Working Visit to the Russian Federation on 16 May 2013. President Zuma will be accompanied by a delegation of cabinet Ministers including Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane; Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms NN Mapisa-Nqakula; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr MCJ Van Schalkwyk; Minister of Tourism, Mr S Cwele; Minister of State Security, Mr EN Mthethwa; Minister of Police and Ms D Peters; Minister of Energy.
The Working Visit is guided by all relevant legal instruments and mechanisms such as the Declaration of Strategic Partnership between the Republic of South Africa and the Russian Federation signed in March 2013, the Protocol on Political Consultations signed in 1994, the Declaration of Principles on Friendly Relations and Partnership signed in 1999, the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) signed in 1999, the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation established in 2002 and the Treaty of Friendship and Partnership signed in 2006.
During the recent Working Visit of President Putin in March 2013, eight Agreements in the fields of Education, Energy, Defence, Fisheries, Mineral Resources, Transport and Science and Technology were signed. In addition, a number of business to business contracts were signed between South African and Russian companies.
Bilateral trade and investment has grown substantially in 2012. The signing of the abovementioned Agreements provides an opportunity to further expand trade and investment and skills and technology exchange between the two countries.
During the Working Visit in Sochi, President Zuma and President Putin will review bilateral relations and exchange views on critical regional and global issues.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, 082 884 5974.
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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