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Relations between Russia, South Africa go deep into history — Lavrov

The South African ambassador to Russia noted that bilateral relations are currently at their highest level

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. Relations between Russia and South Africa go deep into history and have an extensive cooperation mechanism, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said on Tuesday at the opening of a photography exhibition dedicated to the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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"The exhibition shows this stage in our relations in full. Of course, our relations go deep into history," Lavrov said. "Suffice it to recall the support to the South African people in its fight against apartheid."

According to the minister, among the documents presented at the exhibition is the Declaration on strategic partnership between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Jacob Zuma.

"Of course, Nelson Mandela’s contribution can hardly be overestimated," Russia’s top diplomat went on to say. "We have a ramified cooperation mechanism, which includes the Business Council, the Commission for Military-Technical Cooperation and extensive ties between the parliaments." Lavrov noted the importance of introducing visa-free travel for the two counties’ citizens on March 30.

For her part, South African Ambassador to Russia, Nomasonto Maria Sibanda-Thusi noted that the two sides are moving in the right direction, adding that bilateral relations are currently at their highest level.

The exhibition also includes photos made by Russian Ambassador to South Africa, Mikhail Petrakov.

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