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At the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Dr Igor Ivanov, will pay an official visit to South Africa from 14 to 17 December 2001.

The two Ministers will hold political consultations on 15 December. Apart from regular meetings between the two Ministers at international fora, South Africa and Russia also interact on a regular basis, inter alia in terms of the Protocol on Consultations between the South African Department of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that was signed in September 1994.

The consultations between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Ivanov will cover both bilateral and multilateral areas of co-operation as well as issues of mutual global concern. Some of the aspects that will come under discussion include:

BILATERAL

Political:

To strengthen bilateral relations between South Africa and the Russian Federation by injecting new momentum into the various bilateral programmes, e.g. The Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) and the Joint Commission on Science and Technology.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will brief Minister Ivanov on the latest developments and the progress being made regarding the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

Minister Ivanov will brief his South African counterpart on Russia's views on developments in Europe and the Commonwealth for Independent States (CIS); NATO and Russia's position vis-à-vis expansion; as well as on (economic) developments in the Caspian Basin.

Economic:

The two Ministers will discuss existing bilateral economic relations as well as measures that might strengthen trade and the removal of existing trade barriers. Trade between South Africa and Russia has steadily increased. Amongst Russia's African trading partners, South Africa holds the second position after Egypt based on trade turnover.

Trade between South Africa and Russia (South African statistics):

1994 (Rand Million)
Exports: 37
Imports: 0
Total Trade: 37
Trade Balance: 37
Export/Import ratio: 0

1995 (Rand Million)
Exports: 375
Imports: 135
Total Trade: 510
Trade Balance: 240
Export/Import ratio: 2.8

1996 (Rand Million)
Exports: 218
Imports: 110
Total Trade: 328
Trade Balance: 108
Export/Import ratio: 2.0

1997 (Rand Million)
Exports: 177
Imports: 322
Total Trade: 499
Trade Balance: -145
Export/Import ratio: 0.5

1998 (Rand Million)
Exports: 314
Imports: 249
Total Trade: 563
Trade Balance: 65
Export/Import ratio: 1.3

1999 (Rand Million)
Exports: 406
Imports: 249
Total Trade: 655
Trade Balance: 157
Export/Import ratio: 1.6

2000 (Rand Million)
Exports: 200
Imports: 565
Total Trade: 765
Trade Balance: -365
Export/Import ratio: 0.4

Trade figures for the first half of 2001 according to Russian statistics:

From SA to Russian Federation - First Half 2001 (US$ million)
Import from Russian Federation: 2.46
Export to Russian Federation: 32,53
Total trade: 34.99
SA surplus: 30.0

MULTILATERAL

* The Ministers will explore measures aimed at deepening South African-Russian co-operation in various multilateral fora, including at the United Nations, in particular with a view to strengthening support for a multi-polar world. The Ministers will also discuss issues such as UN reform.
* The Ministers will exchange ideas on South African-Russian co-operation as far as conflict resolution in Africa is concerned.
* Disarmament and the problems of small arms proliferation in Africa.
* The situation in the Middle East.
* International terrorism and the war in Afghanistan.

After the conclusion of the political consultations, the Ministers will initial The Treaty of Friendship and Partnership between the Republic of South Africa and the Russian Federation (Friendship Treaty). This Treaty encompasses the full spectrum of relations between the two countries and will be signed by President Thabo Mbeki and President Vladimir Putin during the latter's State Visit to South Africa. The two Ministers will discuss the dates and modalities of the State Visit that is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2002.

The two Ministers will also sign a Protocol on Co-operation in the field of Arts and Culture between South Africa and the Russian Federation for the Years 2002 - 2004.

Minister Ivanov will also pay courtesy call on President Mbeki on 15 December and is expected to have a brief meeting with former President Mandela. During the afternoon of 15 December 2001, Minister Ivanov will lay the cornerstone of the Russian Orthodox Church in Midrand.

On the evening of 15 December, Minister Dlamini Zuma will host an Official Dinner at the Presidential Guest House in honour of Minister Ivanov and his delegation. This dinner will be immediately preceded by a ceremony during which Minister Ivanov will present medals to a group of veterans of Umkontho we Sizwe.

Minister Ivanov will visit Cape Town on 16 December 2001 and will depart for Tanzania on the morning of 17 December 2001.

Contacts:
Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Alexander Khrenov on 083 244 3917

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs, 13 December 2001