MOSCOW, December 11. /TASS/. South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Alvin Botes will visit Russia and Belarus for strengthening strategic dialogue, International Affairs Journal reports.

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa Alvin Botes is going to pay working visits to Russia and Belarus on December 11-14, 2023, the South African Foreign Ministry said. This year Belarus and South Africa celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the article reads.

It is noted that "South Africa and Russia have excellent bilateral relations at the strategic, bilateral and multilateral levels." "The working visit to Russia will let both countries focus on deepening these ties, both politically and economically. In these spheres significant progress has been made, albeit to varying degrees," the magazine says.

Political consultations at the level of deputy ministers are high on the visit’s agenda.

"In Russia, the senior South African diplomat will meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. In addition to political consultations, Botes intends to pay a courtesy visit to Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergey Aleinik," the magazine reports.