BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

09/07/2007

Belarusian varsity honours Dlamini Zuma

By David Masango

Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has been honoured for her untiring service for her country and advancing co-operation between different nations.

The Belarusian State University has on Friday awarded the title of "Professor" to the minister for her" brilliant merits and exceptional qualities in the service of her country and advancing co-operations between different nations and relations between South Africa and Belarus in particular."

Dr Dlamini Zuma was on a three-day official visit to Belarus with the aim to strengthen bilateral ties between South Africa and Belarus.

"The minister accepted the honour 'with a sense of pride and humility' and addressed the university community and called for greater co-operation between academic institutions in the two countries.

"She added that 'South Africa can learn a lot from Belarus, especially in the investment you have made in the education of your people'," the Department of Foreign Affairs said at the weekend.

During her stay she met her Belarusian counterpart Foreign Minister Sergei Nikolayevich Martynov in Minsk and discussions focused on consolidating and strengthening bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries, including areas of future engagement and co-operation.

They also discussed:

* Belarusian support for the promotion of the African agenda;

* Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament;

* The conflict in the Middle- East ; and

* Co-operation between the two countries in multilateral fora including the United Nations and its comprehensive reform.

The department also indicated that the potential for economic development and interaction between the two countries remained significant and that it still could present South African businesses with "excellent opportunities".

The current bilateral trade as per Belarusian 2006 statistics is $15 million (approx R105 million), the department said.

South Africa's main imports are potassium fertilizers, refrigerators, flax fabrics and spare truck and tractors parts which amounts to $6 million (approx R42 million).

It also imports fully assembled low-cost agricultural tractors and large dump trucks for the mining industry.

South African exports of diamonds, veneer sheets, organic chemicals, vehicle spare parts and capital goods amounts to $4 million.

At the close of the visit Professor Dlamini Zuma also held discussions with the chairperson of the House of Representative of the National Assembly, Mr V. Konoplev and the Deputy Chairperson of the Belarusian Union of Women, Dr Morova with whom she explored areas of possible co-operation in further advancing gender issues. - BuaNews

Source:

http://www.buanews.gov.za/view.php?ID=07070813451001&coll=buanew07