The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Botswana and Special Representative to SADC, His Excellency Victor I Sibilev on 6th December, 2019 paid a courtesy call on the SADC Executive Secretary, Her Excellency Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax where the two discussed and agreed on how to take forward the outcomes of the Russia-Africa Economic Forum and Summit and the implementation of Memorandum of Understanding between SADC and the Russian Federation.
In the welcome remarks to Ambassador H.E. Sibilev, H.E. Dr Tax expressed gratitude to His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and His Excellency Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Chairperson of the African Union Commission for inviting her to the Africa–Russia Summit. She stated that Russia remains an important partner in driving the SADC integration and development agenda.
H.E. Dr Tax said her participation as a panellist at the Russia-Africa Economic Forum, and the fruitful discussions she held with the Russia’s Ministers responsible for Trade and Agriculture on the side-lines of the Forum, provided an opportunity to take forward the implementation of the framework for cooperation between SADC and Russia, particularly in industrialization, infrastructure development, and priority regional value chains.
On his part, H.E. Ambassador Sibilev expressed appreciation to the SADC Executive Secretary for the participation and contribution of SADC at the Russia-Africa Economic Forum and Summit held from 23-24 October, 2019 in Sochi, Russian Federation. He outlined that the Forum agreed on joint efforts to promote trade, investment and sustainable development and make the global economic system more socially oriented and support Russian and African entrepreneurs in exploring ways of mutually beneficial cooperation.
H.E. Ambassador Sibilev extended an invitation from the Russian Federation for Dr. Tax to participate at the 2020 International Economic Forum from 3 – 6 June 2020, in St Petersburg, Russia. He outlined that the Forum provides a platform for exhibitions, exchange of experiences with a view to achieve effective global development.
The SADC Executive Secretary was accompanied by the Director for Infrastructure, Ms. Mapolao Mokoena, while the Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Nikita Eroshov, Protocol Officer.
The two Parties re-affirmed their commitment to operationalise the Memorandum of Understanding on Basic Principles of Relations and Cooperation signed in October 2019 between SADC and the Russian Federation.
