The meeting between Vladimir Putin and Cyril Ramaphos took place in the Konstantinovsky Palace. Photo: Mikhail Metzel/TASS host photo agency
…- Yesterday we finished quite late. You are a hardworking person and you are ready to work very early in the morning. I am very happy to work with a partner like you, because I am also a hard-working person.
With these words on Saturday, July 29, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, greeted Vladimir Putin at the Konstantinovsky Palace.
(By the way, the eve of the summit meeting went on until almost 2 am!)
“On the other hand, we have worked very actively and, in my opinion, we have worked productively,” Vladimir Putin said. – It has benefited, I think, both our bilateral relations and our relations with the African continent as a whole. Including, not least, thanks to you, dear Mr. President. Because you took an active part in the preparation of this meeting, in the preparation of the Russia-Africa summit.
WHAT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAID ABOUT RUSSIAN-SOUTH AFRICAN RELATIONS
– They are based on the principles of strategic association, the interaction between our countries is increasingly intense and diverse.
– A multi-level political dialogue has been established, trade and economic ties and cooperation are being developed.
– In 2022, the commercial turnover (between Russia and South Africa. – AG) showed good growth – 16.4 percent.
The absolute numbers could also be higher, but $1.3 billion is already, in principle, a decent number.
– The intergovernmental commission is working. The promising areas of cooperation, we have pointed them out many times, are energy, industry, the agricultural sector, science, of course, and innovation.
We pay great attention to expanding ties in the field of education. For the 2023/24 academic year, the share of scholarships for South African students to study at Russian universities almost tripled, to 400 places.
Our countries are coordinating their actions at the United Nations, the G20 and other multi-format organizations.
– This year, South Africa chairs the BRICS, as you know. We are interacting closely and constructively within the framework of this partnership, for the sake of deepening the strategic partnership of the five.
– Of course, at the BRICS level, we are very pleased with your support – said Ramaphosa, addressing Putin – We look forward to a successful summit. Thank you very much for your tireless support in this field. Thank you very much for inviting me here, to St. Petersburg. I also want to thank you for the opening dinner (we are talking about the reception on the opening day of the summit. – AG), for the performances that you showed us, reflecting the culture of St. Petersburg, they were wonderful.
