PRESS RELEASE

September 2, 2013. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, had negotiations with M. Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the South Africa, who came to Moscow for work purposes.

There was discussed prospects for the further development of all the Russian and South African interaction based on the Joint Declaration of the establishment of the complex strategic partnership signed by the Presidents of Russia and the South Africa in Durban this year.

There was signed an agreement in the form of notes exchanges with regards to the establishment of a Russian trade promotion office under the Embassy of the Russian Federation in this country.

There was exchanged opinions regarding the most important international and regional issues, emphasising the Syria crisis settlement, and conflicts in African continents; during this exchange it became obvious that both countries have the same or similar opinions in the relations to discussed issues.

In view of the forthcoming summit of G20 on September 5-6 in Saint Petersburg, it was announced that the constructive cooperation between Russia and South Africa in this organisation recognised "synchronised watches" regarding the agenda of the forthcoming summit, as well as planned meetings in the framework of BRICS.

Sergey Lavrov and Nkoana-Mashabane expressed satisfaction with the dynamic progress of multifaceted Russian and South African cooperation, and stressed the mutual desire of two countries to enhance further political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian ties.

2 September 2013