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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, dear Jacob, allow me to welcome you once again.

I am very happy to see our friends in Moscow during the celebrations of the 70^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Relations between Russia and South Africa are of a special nature: this is our leading partner on the African continent.

We are developing our relations within the framework of international organisations, including Background information BRICS BRICS. We need to do a lot to make sure that this organisation becomes an effective mechanism for developing our economies. And we have everything we need for this.

In any case, we are very happy to see you. I am happy to have the opportunity to discuss bilateral issues.

President of South Africa Jacob Zuma: Mr President,let me thank you very much firstly for the invitation. We were given a very warm reception and hospitality since the arrival of our delegation.

When it comes to the commemoration today, it has been an overwhelmingly good day and a big day for the country, but I think for many of us. I think it defines how the globe stands today to some degree and I think it is very clear, and to have so many good friends come together.

To us in South Africa it is extraordinarily more important, given our history with this country, our relations now and where we are looking forward to develop our relations bilaterally.

I think this has been one of the days that defined the friends and relationships and everything. I think today it was clearer than any other day.

From the point of view of bilateral relations, we are very committed.

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