Official website of the President of Russia

 

The Russian Federation and the Republic of South Africa (herein after referred to as the “Sides”,

being guided by the desire to further consolidate for mutual benefit their traditionally close and friendly ties based on mutual understanding and deep-rooted confidence in each other and by the rich and fruitful experience of cooperation in different spheres accumulated over the period of struggle against apartheid as well as the years since establishment of diplomatic relations between them,

emphasising their commitment to the Declaration of Principles Concerning Friendly Relations and Partnership, signed by the President of the Russian Federation and the President of the Republic of South Africa on 29 April 1999

conscious of Russia-South Africa Strategic Partnership that was affirmed during the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation by the President of the Russian Federation and the President of the Republic of South Africa on 5 September 2006

recalling the decision of the President of the Russian Federation and the President of the Republic of South Africa on 5 August 2010 to reaffirm Russia-South Africa Strategic Partnership and convene Presidential Summit meetings at least once every two years

seeking to impart a qualitatively new character and long term perspective to their multifaceted bilateral relations and to actively develop them in political economic, trade, scientific, technological, cultural and other fields,

convinced that further comprehensive development of their bilateral ties would promote progress and prosperity of both states and the consolidation of positive trends in the world as a whole, and

proceeding from the conviction that it is necessary to build a more just system of international relations based on the sovereign equality of all states and peoples and supremacy of the law under the central role of the United Nations Organization,

declare as follows:

Both sides hereby formally proclaim the establishment of relations of strategic partnership between them which envisages the elevation of varied and multifaceted ties between them to a higher and qualitatively new level as well as imparting them with a special character of close and dynamic cooperation, both in the bilateral field and in the international arena.

This strategic partnership between the Sides is based upon the principles of sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of States, non-interference in their internal affairs, mutual respect and mutual benefit and includes enhanced cooperation in the following fields:

1. Political:

The President of the Russian Federation and the President of the Republic of South Africa will meet at least once every two years for the purposes of promoting and guiding political and economic cooperation in order to enhance mutual understanding and support for each other on issues of mutual interest;

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa shall meet at least once a year to review bilateral relations;

Closer cooperation at the United Nations and striving for coordination of approaches, including its specialized agencies and institutions, at other international and regional fora;

Further intensifying the work aimed at creation of regular consultations mechanisms on regional and international security issues;

Informing each other of planned foreign policy initiatives in the international arena;

Non-participation in any military-political or other alliances, associations or armed conflicts directed against the other Side, or in any treaties, agreements or understandings infringing upon the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity or national security interests of the other Side;

Deepening cooperation within the framework of BRICS to elaborate concerted approaches and effective solutions to crucial problems of the international relations and global development, strengthening significance of both countries in formulating the global agenda.

2. Trade and Economic:

Increasing close cooperation within the framework of Russian-South Africa Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), Business Council, other joint bodies of business and industry representatives as well as through chambers of commerce and industry with
a view to expand trade and economic relations

Deepening and diversifying cooperation in priority sectors such as trade and investment and banking cooperation, mining and mineral resource beneficiation, energy, including nuclear power, transport, including aviation, maritime and rail, communications, metallurgy, aviation industry, agriculture, infrastructure development, innovative and high technologies, tourism;

Defining ways and methods as well as guidelines for expansion of bilateral trade, establishment of trade missions;

Encouraging contacts between regions of both countries with a view to promoting trade and economic cooperation;

Mutually beneficial exploiting new opportunities arising out of integration processes underway in the world economy;

Deepening cooperation and coordination at international trade, economic and financial bodies.

3. Parliamentary cooperation:

Regular inter-parliamentary exchanges, widening contacts at high level between relevant chambers and committees will take place.

4. Defence:

Deepen cooperation in the military field, including military and military-technical cooperation on a long-term basis and other kinds of interaction between armed forces of both countries.

5. Science and Technology:

Promoting existing and search for new forms of cooperation in fundamental and applied scientific research;

Expanding exchanges of specialists and scientific information, establishing and developing direct ties between scientific research/higher educational institutions;

Forming in perspective a modernisation and technology alliance.

6. Humanitarian Cooperation:

Further promoting cultural cooperation and a wider exposure to each others' cultural heritage and achievements of both states, expanding the studies of national languages, holding regular mutual cultural seasons;

Activate contacts between people and organisations as well as exchanges including in the fields of culture, education, mass media, youth and sports.

Activities to preserve the historical memory of cooperation in the struggle against apartheid and education of young generations of both countries in the non-racial spirit;

Joint activities on organizing exhibitions and protecting monuments.

7. Cooperation between integration organizations:

Promote cooperation between the Eurasian (Customs Union, Common Economic Space, – Eurasian Economic Union) and African Regional Organisations (African Union, Southern African Development Community, Southern African Customs Union).

8. Other fields:

Cooperating in the fight against international terrorism, separatism, organised crime, illegal trafficking in narcotics.

The strategic partnership between the Sides is not directed against any other State or group of States, and does not seek to create a military-political alliance.

Done in Durban on 26 March 2013 in two copies in the Russian and English language.