Official website of the President of Russia

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The two heads of state discussed trade and economic ties, cooperation in nuclear energy, and investor protection. During the meeting, the parties highlighted the potential of technological cooperation, in particular, in shipbuilding, IT and space technology, and telemedicine.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends, colleagues, it is a pleasure to see you.

I would like to stress and highlight once again that relations between our countries are developing as we had principally planned together with you. The situation is complicated but in general, we are overcoming the difficulties.

It is very good that the South African Republic joined the organisation that used to be called BRIC without you and is now called BRICS. We hope that apart from approving the more general political coordination, it will successfully tackle specific challenges and deal with economic matters.

The fact that we created two important financial instruments is the first step towards practical cooperation in a multilateral format.

Mr President, I am very glad to see you.

President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma: Thank you, Mr President.

I am also very happy to have this opportunity to meet. I must first congratulate you on winning the Duma elections and, also, by increasing the majority. Well done indeed! In this time when the global situation is very complicated, as you were correct to say.

I would like, just from the beginning, I know that we talked about a state visit, I want to invite you to visit South Africa next year, to strengthen our relations. I think it would be important for a number of reasons that you visit South Africa.

I totally agree with you that having discussed the general situation, we will also come to the specifics. And I am hoping that this BRICS will also take us forward.

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