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Russian, South African presidents sign declaration on strategic partnership

According to the document, the presidents of Russia and South Africa will meet at least once in two years

DURBAN, South Africa, March 26 (Itar-Tass) – Russia and South Africa have passed a joint declaration on establishment of strategic partnership in the wake of talks held between Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Jacob Zuma.

According to the document, “the presidents of Russia and South Africa will meet at least once in two years to envisage ways of development of political and economic cooperation in the interests of strengthening mutual understanding and reciprocal support on themes presenting mutual interest.”

The declaration also provides for “building up close economic cooperation in the interests of expansion of trade and economic ties and deepening and diversifying interaction in priority areas such as trade, investment and banking cooperation, metallurgy and the aviation industry.”

In defense, the sides will “deepen cooperation in the military sphere, including long-term military and military-technological cooperation, as well as other forms of cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.”

The declaration also provides for “closer cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries, closer interaction at the United Nations and steps aimed at speeding up the creation of a regular mechanism of consultations on regional and international security.”

Russia and South Africa have pledged to stay away from any military-political or other unions, associations and armed conflicts directed against the other party as well as not to participate in any treaties and agreements, which have an aim to encroach on the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity or national security interests of the other party.

The declaration provides for deeper cooperation within the BRICS group of nations with an aim to work out coordinated approaches and finding effective solutions to urgent problems of international relations and world development and strengthen the role of both countries in forming the global agenda.

In parliamentary cooperation, the two countries will hold regular parliamentary exchanges and expand contacts at the level of leaders of appropriate chambers and committees.

In science and technology, the two countries agreed to expand exchanges with experts and scientific information, establish direct ties between research institutes and institutions of high learning so as to form a future modernization and technological alliance.

Mutual cultural seasons will be held on a regular basis as part of humanitarian cooperation.

The declaration also calls for cooperation in struggle against international terrorism, separatism, organized crime and illegal drug trade.

The declaration emphasizes that the strategic partnership between Russia and South Africa is not directed against any other country or a group of countries and does not pursue a goal to create a military-political union.