RUSSIA’S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MIKHAIL BOGDANOV VISITS SOUTH AFRICA

Photo: Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa

20 November 2021

Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Representative

of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and

Africa, Mr Mikhail L. Bogdanov visited South Africa on an official visit

and met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, officials from the

Department of Trade and Industry,Deputy Minster of International Relations Mr Alvin Botes and the Heads of Mission from the Middle East countries accredited to the Republic of South Africa.

Photo: Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov meeting with South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes

 

Russia’s Deputy Minister Bogdanov (centre) and Russian Ambassador Ilya Rogachev (right) interacting with Heads of Mission of the Middle East represented in South Africa

South Africa and Russia enjoys cordial and bilateral relations. During the meeting with President Ramaphosa, the Deputy Foreign Minister

Mikhail Bogdanov and Special Representative of the President of the

Russian Federation, conveyed a message from President of the Russian

Federation Vladimir Putinas as well as discussed matters of mutual

interest and issues of future development between Russia-South Africa

relations. Issues of cooperation in trade, economy, science, technology,

culture, humanitarian sphere and other fields as well as the

reaffirmation of mutual commitment of Moscow and Pretoria in

strengthening and deepening trust on political dialogue and effectively

coordinating actions at various international organisations such as the

UN, BRICS and the G20 and the preparation for the Second Russia-Africa

Summit, scheduled for the autumn of 2022 were also discussed.

At a press briefing held in Pretoria, the Russia’s Deputy Foreign

Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said the purpose of his visit was to establish

the framework of the cooperation with Africa after the inaugural

Russia-Africa summit in 2019 as agreed, the summit will take place every

3 years with the 2022 meeting underway. The Minister thanked the media

for their attendance and for the valuable role of journalisim and looked

forward to media cooperation and the exchange of reporters and

correspondents between Russia and Africa.

When asked about the Russia’s historical relations and support for

Africa’s the Deputy Minister said Russia’s historical relations and

support for Africa’sliberation from the time of colonialism is well

documented, we are building mutual respect and trust through bilateral

and multilateral fora through our engagements and technical cooperation

through our interaction in BRICS, G20 the UN amongst others.

When asked about the role of arts, culture and sport the Minister said

creating greater awareness and understanding among humanity was vital

for People to people soft diplomacy which could be achieved through

travel, tourism and hospitality cooperation and this could lead to

trade, business and investment opportunities.

The Diplomatic Informer
Average rating:  
 0 reviews