Foreign Ministers of Russia and South Africa summed up bilateral talks

On Monday, 23 January, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov paid an official visit to South Africa.

The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has already held talks with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor. At the press briefing before the meeting, the South African politician noted that the talks will help "strengthen the already good relations" between the two countries.

During the meeting, Pandor mentioned that the UN and the BRICS group could play a key role in reforming the architecture of international relations. It also called for reforms in the financial institutions of developing countries.

"BRICS countries should focus on the changes that need to be made to the structure of financial institutions of developing countries," she said.

In addition, the head of South African diplomacy stressed that South Africa attaches great importance to developing cooperation with Russia.

"I am pleased to record the progress that was evident on a range of issues relating to the relationship between South Africa and the Russian Federation. <...> South Africa attaches great importance to fostering and deepening our partnership through strengthening our structured bilateral mechanisms"

Naledi Pandor South African Foreign Minister

He said Russia and the African National Congress agreed to intensify our work in a whole range of areas in order to uncover fully the broad potential of our ties especially in the area of economics.

The Russian Foreign Minister also noted that the Russian Federation shares the priorities of South Africa’s BRICS chairmanship.

"We share the priorities of the South African Presidency, which began on 1 January and will be held under the motto "BRICS and Africa: partnership for accelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism". We wish our colleagues success in the implementation of the announced plans and, of course, we will actively contribute to their implementation"

Sergei Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister

According to the Minister, the second summit Russia - Africa will bring relations with the continent to new frontiers.

"We have talked about preparations for the second summit Russia - Africa, which will be held at the end of July this year in Saint Petersburg. We believe that its results will be based on the work that was done after the first summit in Autumn 2019 in Sochi, and will help to bring our ties to new frontiers", - said Lavrov.

The last time the Russian Foreign Minister met with his counterpart was in last September at the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

In addition, Sergei Lavrov is scheduled to meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In 2022, the Republic of South Africa and the Russian Federation celebrated 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of South Africa and the Russian Federation was signed on the margins of the 5th BRICS Summit, held in Durban in March 2013, by the Heads of State of South Africa and Russia. The declaration laid down the principles and the basis for an equitable and mutually beneficial partnership that supports the two countries' national development priorities, the African agenda and the establishment of a peaceful, just and democratic system of global governance, as reported by Pretoria News, a partner of TV BRICS.

Photo: flickr.com