The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Alvin Botes, has undertaken, is currently on a ‘working visit’ to Russia and Belarus. The purpose of the visit to Eastern Europe is for ‘Political Consultations’.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco).
‘South Africa and Russia enjoy excellent bilateral relations at a strategic level, bilaterally and in the multilateral sphere. The Working Visit to Russia will be an opportunity for both countries to focus their efforts on deepening these ties, especially in the area of economic cooperation where considerable progress is being made but has not yet reached the level of political relations, said Dirco.
‘During the visit of HE Minister Lavrov to South Africa in January 2023, it was agreed that Political Consultations between South Africa and the Russian Federation should take place at the level of Deputy Ministers. This meeting between Deputy Minister Botes and Deputy Minister Bogdanov will form the First Round of Political Consultations following the commitment made during the visit of Minister Lavrov,’ the statement continued.
Bilateral relations with Russia, the statement said, are informed by political, economic, social, defence, security cooperation and all relevant legal instruments and mechanisms that affirm the strategic relationship.
Botes will also visit Belarus to conduct the Fourth Round of Political Consultations in terms of the Protocol on Cooperation signed in 2000.
Botes will meet HE Minister Sergei Aleinik, serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director-General of the National Centre for Marketing and Price Study of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Belarussian Chamber of Commerce, as well as visit Minsk Tractor Works.