Events

MINSK, 12 September (BelTA) – Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei was in South Africa on an official visit on 11-12 September where he met with South Africa President Jacob Zuma, the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry told BelTA.

The Belarusian Foreign Minister and the South Africa President discussed matters concerning the invigoration of bilateral ties in political, trade, economic, and other areas. “Close attention was paid to the need to unite efforts of the two countries in the international scene for the sake of establishing a more just world order. Vladimir Makei delivered the personal message from the Belarusian head of state that reaffirms the invitation for the president of South Africa to visit Belarus,” said the press service.

Apart from that, during the visit Vladimir Makei held negotiations with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. A wide range of topical matters concerning the bilateral relations was discussed. The sides noted with satisfaction the recent intensification of Belarus-South Africa relations in the economic and political spheres. The Belarusian and South African foreign ministers agreed that there are essential prospects and mutual benefits in the future development of bilateral interaction. In particular, ways to step up the bilateral political dialogue were discussed. An agreement was reached to hold a regular round of ministerial talks at the level of top officials of the Belarusian and South African foreign ministries in 2015.

Close attention was paid to prospects of Belarus’ cooperation, including cooperation as a member of the Customs Union, with the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and BRICS. The sides also exchanged views on the most topical issues on the international agenda, including the situation in Ukraine and a number of African countries. Belarus-South Africa interaction in international organizations was discussed.

Vladimir Makei also met with South African Minister of Trade and Industry Robert Haydn Davies. In particular, Robert Haydn Davies was sincerely pleased with the emergence of new real prospects for implementing large-scale joint projects, for instance, the assembly of MAZ vehicles in South Africa. He also noted that it would be interesting for South Africa to assemble tractors and other Belarusian vehicles.

The sides agreed that the intergovernmental committee on trade and economic cooperation is an effective instrument to accomplish this and other tasks on the international agenda. The sides agreed to hold a regular session of the committee in South African in 2015 at the level of deputy ministers.

The Belarusian Foreign Minister also visited the Black Business Council of the Republic of South Africa. At the meeting the sides determined concrete avenues and forms of cooperation between Belarusian and South African business circles. Vladimir Makei noted that the Belarusian side believes cooperation with the Black Business Council to be one of the most effective instruments for finding reliable business partners for Belarusian manufacturers in South Africa. An agreement was reached to arrange a visit of the delegation of the Black Business Council to Minsk in H1 2015 for the sake of participating in a joint business forum.

Under the aegis of the South African Trade and Industry Ministry and the Black Business Council a business conference of the Belarusian Foreign Minister and representatives of the South African business community took place. A presentation of the project to start assembling MAZ vehicles in South Africa took place. The state and prospects of implementing concrete projects of key importance for Belarusian export were discussed, including the promotion of products made by MTZ, BelAZ, and Belshina.