President Jacob Zuma has held yet another ‘bilateral’ meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin — the world leader he has spent the most time with since coming to office in 2008.
This time‚ the two met after Zuma attended Russia’s commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second World War‚ described by Russia as “the Great Patriotic War“.
South Africa’s official government news agency reported that the two leaders had “wide-ranging talks“‚ which included trade co-operation and preparations for the 7th BRICS summit which will take place in Russia in July‚ no doubt leading to yet another “bi-lateral” meeting between Zuma and Putin.
No comment was made on whether or not Russia’s desire to build a series of nuclear power stations for South Africa at an estimated cost in excess of R1 trillion was discussed although the agency mentioned “energy” as one of three priority areas‚ saying: “The leaders agreed on the need to intensify co-operation in various areas further including trade and to explore opportunities further in the areas of mining‚ energy and agriculture.”
But the agency was at pains to stress the good relations between the two countries‚ listing a string of agreement reached over the last 21 years as “the Protocol on Political Consultations signed in 1994‚ the Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Co-operation signed in 1995‚ Declaration of Principles on Friendly Relations and Partnership signed in 1999‚ the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) signed in 1999.
There are also the Joint Inter-governmental Commission on Military-Technical Co-operation established in 2002‚ the Treaty of Friendship and Partnership signed in 2006 and the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of South Africa and the Russian Federation signed in March 2013.”
No mention of nuclear stations as Zuma meets Putin again
President Jacob Zuma has held yet another ‘bilateral’ meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin — the world leader he has spent the most time with since coming to office in 2008.
This time‚ the two met after Zuma attended Russia’s commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second World War‚ described by Russia as “the Great Patriotic War“.
South Africa’s official government news agency reported that the two leaders had “wide-ranging talks“‚ which included trade co-operation and preparations for the 7th BRICS summit which will take place in Russia in July‚ no doubt leading to yet another “bi-lateral” meeting between Zuma and Putin.
No comment was made on whether or not Russia’s desire to build a series of nuclear power stations for South Africa at an estimated cost in excess of R1 trillion was discussed although the agency mentioned “energy” as one of three priority areas‚ saying: “The leaders agreed on the need to intensify co-operation in various areas further including trade and to explore opportunities further in the areas of mining‚ energy and agriculture.”
But the agency was at pains to stress the good relations between the two countries‚ listing a string of agreement reached over the last 21 years as “the Protocol on Political Consultations signed in 1994‚ the Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Co-operation signed in 1995‚ Declaration of Principles on Friendly Relations and Partnership signed in 1999‚ the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) signed in 1999.
There are also the Joint Inter-governmental Commission on Military-Technical Co-operation established in 2002‚ the Treaty of Friendship and Partnership signed in 2006 and the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of South Africa and the Russian Federation signed in March 2013.”
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