On the Official Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Mr.Vladimir Makei to South Africa

12-09-2014

On September 11 – 12, 2014 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Mr.Vladimir Makei was on an official visit to the Republic of South Africa.

The Belarusian delegation included the representatives of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as some Belarusian enterprises.

The previous visit of the Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry to South Africa took place in 2006.

During the visit, the Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry was received by the President of South Africa Mr.Jacob Zuma. During the meeting the sides discussed the issues of strengthening bilateral relations in the political, economic, trade and other areas. Special attention was paid to the importance of joint efforts of the two countries on the international arena to establish a more equitable world order.

Mr.Vladimir Makei presented a personal message from the President of the Republic of Belarus, Mr.Alexander Lukashenko, to the President of South Africa, which confirms the invitation to the South African Head of state to visit Belarus.

During the negotiations with the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Ms.Maite Nkoana-Mashabane the sides discussed a wide range of topical issues of bilateral relations.
The parties noted with satisfaction the intensification of recent relations between Belarus and South Africa, both in the economic and political spheres. The ministers agreed that there are significant prospects and mutual benefits in the further development of bilateral cooperation.

In particular, the parties discussed the ways of enhancing bilateral political dialogue. The parties agreed to hold in 2015 the next round of ministerial consultations at the level of the leadership of foreign ministries of Belarus and South Africa.

Special attention was paid to the prospects of cooperation between Belarus, including as a member of the Customs Union, and Southern African Development Community, the African Union and the BRICS.

Both sides also exchanged views on topical issues on the international agenda, including the situation in Ukraine and a number of African countries, discussed cooperation between Belarus and South Africa in international organizations.

After the meeting, the foreign ministers of the two countries took part in the press conference for the representatives of the leading media of South Africa.

Mr.Vladimir Makei held negotiations with the Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa, Mr.Rob Davis.

During the meeting, the two heads of the ministries discussed the whole range of issues of bilateral economic relations, considered various ways of enhancing bilateral trade.

In this context, Mr.Rob Davis expressed, in particular, sincere satisfaction with the new real prospects for the implementation of joint large-scale projects such as, for example, the organization of MAZ assembly production in South Africa. He also noted that South Africa is interested in assembling Belarusian tractors and other Belarusian machinery.

The sides agreed that the Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation is an effective tool for dealing with these and other issues on the bilateral agenda. In this regard, the parties agreed to hold the next session of the committee in South Africa in 2015 at the level of deputy ministers.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus also visited Black Business Council of South Africa, where he met with its President, Mr.Ndaba Ntsele and CEO Ms.Babalva Ngonyama.

The parties identified specific areas and forms of cooperation between Belarus and South African business community.

The Minister marked that the Belarusian side is considering cooperation with Black Business Council as one of the most effective tools to find in South Africa reliable business partners for domestic producers.

The sides agreed to organize the visit of the delegation of Black Business Council of South Africa in the first half of 2015 to participate in a joint business forum.

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of South Africa and Black Business Council a business conference of the Minister for South African business community was held.

The presentation of the project on the creation of Minsk Automobile Plant truck assembly plant was made.

During the event, the parties discussed the current state and future prospects for the implementation of specific projects that are key for the Belarusian export, including the promotion of the national market products of MTW, BelAZ and Belshyna.

The Minister was interviewed by one of the most respected business publications in South Africa – newspaper «Business Day».

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