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13 February 2008

South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will today Wednesday, 13 February 2008 conclude her official visit to Russia where she held discussions with Russian Minister of Natural Resources Yuri Trutnev as part of the South Africa-Russia Intercessional Intergovernmental Trade and Economic Committee (ITEC) on Tuesday, 12 February 2008 in Moscow.

Minister Dlamini Zuma co-chaired the ITEC Ministerial meeting within the context of South Africa’s commitment to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Russia. The two sides considered enhanced South Africa – Russia cooperation in the sphere of space research and the finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between South Africa and Russia in this regard. Both sides noted the considerable progress of cooperation in the field of science and technology and welcomed the fact that new areas of mutual interest are continuously being explored.

Minister Dlamini Zuma welcomed progress with regard to Joint Venture Manganese Project by the Renova Group and South African company “Pitsa ya Seschaba" and wished the company well in the second phase of the project. Minister Dlamini Zuma also welcomed the training of 200 South African personnel as part of the much need skills development programme in South Africa. The two sides welcomed the establishment of the Joint Co-ordinating Committee for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy with a view to ensuring a proper and structured implementation of the agreement signed during the visit of President Vladimir Putin to South Africa in September 2006.

The constructive outcome of a visit by a high level delegation from the Department of Minerals and Energy to Russia as part of the current ITEC deliberations was noted. Strengthened cooperation between Russia and South Africa on platinum group metals was also raised. Both delegations also discussed the progress on a number of outstanding draft agreements which would further enhance the already existing constructive cooperation between South Africa and Russia. It was agreed that the agreements will be finalised and signed at the next meeting of the ITEC

Minister Dlamini Zuma will also today Wednesday, 13 February 2008 hold discussions with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak before concluding her official visit to Russia. Minister Dlamini Zuma is scheduled to return to South Africa on Thursday, 14 February 2008 ahead of bilateral political, economic and trade relations with her Kuwaiti counterpart in Cape Town on Tuesday, 19 February 2008.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
12 February 2008