Russia honours Dlamini-Zuma
11 July 2005
South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is to receive the Russian Federation's highest honour: the Peter the Great Order, First Class.
The award, to be presented in Moscow on Monday, is for "outstanding achievements in her endeavours to strengthen security, peace and friendship between Russia and South Africa".
The honour is also in recognition of Dlamini-Zuma's personal efforts in the development of relations between the two countries.
Peter the Great was one of the greatest Russian Tsars, acclaimed for establishing diplomatic relations between Russia and Europe.
Dlamini-Zuma is only the second person to be awarded the order, after Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Consolidating ties with Russia and France
Dlamini-Zuma arrived in Moscow on Sunday on the first stage of a European visit to the Russian Federation and France.
She will meet her Russian and French counterparts this
week to consolidate political and economic relations between South Africa and the two countries.
Dlamini-Zuma will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday, and French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on Wednesday.
The visit is part of South Africa's commitment to the consolidation of the African agenda through the promotion of North-South cooperation through, among other things, interaction with countries of the G8.
Issues on the agenda of both meetings include:
- the status of political and economic relations between both countries;
- the outcomes of the recently concluded G8 Summit;
- a briefing by Dlamini-Zuma on the recent Ivorian peace talks;
- conflict resolution in Africa;
- reform of the United Nations; and
- preparations for the Review of the Millennium Development Summit in New York later this year.
Dlamini-Zuma's European visit comes after President Thabo Mbeki's participation in the G8 Summit,
during which he discussed support for Africa with both Putin and French President Jacques Chirac.
South Africa aims to foster strong relations with both countries in order to increase foreign investment and tourism.
Dlamini-Zuma returns to South Africa on Friday 15 July.
Sources: BuaNews, Department of Foreign Affairs
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