Photo: Ambassador of Russia to South Africa H.E. Mr Ilya Rogachev at Russian Day Reception during his opening remarks
Russia Day 12th June, is an important day in the Russian calendar, and has been celebrated annually since 1992 to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) on 12 June 1990. The passage of this Declaration by the First Congress of People’s Deputies marked the beginning of constitutional reform in the Russian Soviet state.
In celebration of Russian Day, the Embassy of Russia in Pretoria hosted a reception on the occasion of Russia Day.
The event was attended by representatives of South African government institutions, the diplomatic corps accredited to Pretoria, military attaches, representatives of business, academia, associations of Russian community in South Africa, and mass media
In his opening remarks, Ambassador of Russia to South Africa H.E. Mr Ilya Rogachev said Russian Day was an opportunity to pay tribute to generations of our forefathers who established, strengthened, and defended this unique country of ours. Their achievements and victories in peace and at war allowed us to move forward despite the intentions to ‘cancel’ them through aggressive Russophobic narrative.
What is happening in Ukraine is not a clash between Moscow and Kiev, rather a military conflict between the Western bloc and Russia, while the special military operation is purposed to put an end to NATO’s unlimited expansion and keeping the US and the collective West from achieving total domination in the world arena said Ambassador Ilya Rogachev.
The Ambassador said that despite the sanctions and restrictions, Russia’s economy has been doing reasonably well in all major sectors. According to forecasts Russia’s GDP is expected to grow by 1.2% in 2023 in comparison to the ailing European economies
Ambassador reminded guests of the upcoming second Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg and the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg and expressed confidence that the events would help to outline new plans and expand Russia-Africa cooperation in different areas.
The second Russia-Africa Summit will take place in St Petersburg, and the Summit is set to outline new plans aimed at expanding cooperation in various areas, including political, trade, economic, technology, and science.
The potential, especially for trade between Russia and South Africa, is enormous, said Rogachev. “In such a turbulent and testing period, the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Africa should double their efforts to develop even closer ties building on our joint achievements and mutual respect.”
Director General of the Department of Small Business Development Mr Lindokhule Mkhumane as the guest of honour addressed the distinguished guests on behalf of His Excellency President C.Ramaphosa, the Government and the people of South Africa. ‘I wish to congratulate the Government and the people of the Russian Federation and wish the Russian Federation joyful, peaceful, and prosperous National Day,’ said Mr. Mkhumane
On the bilateral relations, Director General Lindokhule Mkhumane said “One of the primary mechanisms for improving the bilateral relationship and advancing development objectives between the two countries has been the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Cooperation. The 17th session of ITEC was held in March 2023 in Pretoria.”
As chair of BRICS this year, South Africa is set to host the BRICS Summit in August in which Russia will participate, and South Africa looks forward to engaging with the Russian Federation during the Summit
Mkhumane said that South Africa always stands ready to support the peaceful resolution of conflict wherever in the world it may occur. “South Africa believes that the only path to peace is through diplomacy, dialogue and a commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter,” which is why President Cyril Ramaphosa together with other African Heads of State, as part of an African peace initiative, are currently engaging with Presidents Putin and Zelensky individually, seeking dialogue and lasting peace in the region.
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