🇷🇺🇿🇦 February 28 marks the 34th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Africa.
Our bilateral cooperation is rooted in the firm ties of friendship and cooperation, which took shape during the anti-apartheid struggle and continue developing today. Over the past three decades, relations between Russia and South Africa have reached the level of strategic partnership.
🤝 We extend our warmest wishes to our South African friends on the occasion of our common holiday! We express commitment to continuing the expansion of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.
#RussiaSouthAfrica
🗓 The XXVII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum took place in St. Petersburg on June 5-8. The Forum continues to steadily enhance its prestige as one of the most important business events in the world.
This year, the #SPIEF202421,800 people from 139 countries and territories took part in the Forum’s events.
The events were attended by more than 120 high-ranking foreign officials, including heads of international organizations and associations, ministers of foreign affairs, heads of diplomatic missions, and the leaders of foreign cities and regions. The largest delegations came from China 🇨🇳 – 192 participants, UAE 🇦🇪 – 105, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 – 86, Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 – 84, India 🇮🇳 – 80, and Oman 🇴🇲 – 75.
🎙 The key event of the Forum was the plenary session, which includes speeches by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of foreign states: Luis Alberto Arce Catacora of Bolivia and Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.
Despite the enormous sanctions and political pressure exerted on our country, SPIEF has fully confirmed its reputation as a leading international business event that has been established over more than a quarter of a century.
📈980 agreements totalling over RUB 6.4 trillion were signed on the sidelines of the Forum, attended by 3,550 Russian and foreign companies.
🤝 Active international cooperation that aims to intensify equitable interaction with developing countries was a prominent focus of the programme.
The Forum’s Russian and foreign guests were actively involved in such events as the Russian-African Conference ‘Water: More Precious Than Gold’, the EAEU–ASEAN session, and business dialogues with representatives of Azerbaijan, Brazil, Venezuela, India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, South Africa, as well as other countries of Africa and Latin America.
🇷🇺🌍Export of agro-industrial products from Russia to Africa in 2023 grew by a quarter, says ministry of agriculture
"Last year our exports to Africa grew by a quarter and almost reached $6 billion, 80% of which is wheat," said Russian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sergey Levin during a session at the ongoing #SPIEF2024.
Levin added, "What is interesting here is that we are also increasing our food purchases in Africa, and for the same last year we already exceeded the level of $2.1 billion, importing everything that does not grow in our country, such as fruits, vegetables, cocoa beans, and we intend to develop this further."
"The dynamics of this year emphasize this fact, because we have already traded with each other about $3 billion or even more in January-April 2024," he added.
According to the minister, Africa is becoming an increasingly important market.
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⚡Russian trade relations with Asia have increased by 60%, with the Middle East by two times, with Africa by 69%, and with Latin America by 42%.
Vladimir Putin provided the data at the plenary session of SPIEF 2024. Here are the key takeaways on international agenda from his speech:
Shifting trade dynamics
🔹 Russia remains a key player in global trade, actively expanding its geographical reach.
🔹 Russia is restructuring its import and export flows, with friendly nations now accounting for three-quarters of its trade turnover.
🔹 The focus will be on supporting non-resource and non-energy exports.
🔹 Exports of finished high-tech products have increased. Russia is prepared to offer other countries full-fledged, full-cycle technological partnerships.
Transport and Logistics
🔹 The volume of cargo transportation along international routes through Russia is expected to grow by 50%.
🔹 A key project in this area is the development of the Eastern Polygon of railways.
Northern Sea Route and Arctic Development
🔹 Recognizing the demand for global transportation arteries, Russia will continue developing the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
🔹 In 2023, 36 million tons of cargo were transported via the NSR. This figure could exceed 150 million tons in the future.
🔹A commission dedicated to the development of the Arctic and the NSR will be established within the Russian State Council.
Financial sovereignty and BRICS expansion
🔹 The share of settlements in rubles for Russian exports has tripled to 39%.
🔹 Russia will enhance the security of cross-border payment infrastructure, particularly within the BRICS framework.
🔹The BRICS’ share of global GDP has reached 36%, while its population share stands at 46%.
@RoscongressDirect
#SPIEF2024
🇷🇺🌍 Russia and African countries are together, and this is a historical process, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says
"We were [together] when Africa was seen as exclusively a source of slaves and resources. And we never looked at it that way. We looked at it as people equal to us, people with equal opportunities, their own identity. We were with Africa then, when no one believed that the process of decolonization could be accomplished," Maria Zakharova told Russian media on the sidelines of the #SPIEF2024.
She recalled that the Soviet Union invested all its "colossal political capital" (which was gained after its victory in World War II) in the process of decolonization.
"So, when you ask whether Africa is with us, I want to tell you that so much has been done for this continent and this continent has returned so much over the years in the form of non-solidarization with the position of the West, non-betrayal through the adoption of anti-Russian sanctions, that I think it’s impossible to answer the question in one word as it would simply not respect our so important and so deep relations with Africa," she explained.
Zakharova also said that from the tour of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to African countries that ended this week, she remembered most of all the words of gratitude for the contribution of the USSR to the fight against colonialism.
"It is an amazing feeling to witness sincere words that speak about the historical contribution of your country and your people to a correct and necessary process, such as the process of building a more just world order," the diplomat said.
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🌍West must pay debts for centuries of exploitation of Africa, says Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman
Western countries do not like to pay their debts, but now other times have come, so it is necessary to discuss how the West will compensate Africa for years of bullying and exploitation, Maria Zakharova told reporters on the sidelines of #SPIEF2024.
She added that the former Western colonial powers countries "don't want to do that, they do not pay their debts, they don't return the loot, they don't recognize themselves as guilty. But other times have come."
The world has been given a voice in the form of an opportunity to speak to each individual country," she noted.
According to her, BRICS gives countries the opportunity to receive true equality through their participation and the chance to express their position.
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@RusEmbMalta press release:
Vladimir Putin took part in the plenary session of the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (June 7, 2024)
Key points:
🔷 This year, over 12 thousand people from more than a hundred countries of the world became participants and guests of the Forum.
🔷We see how a real race has emerged between countries to strengthen their sovereignty, and at three key levels: state, value-cultural and economic. At the same time, countries that until recently acted as leaders of global development are trying with all their might, by hook or by crook, to maintain their elusive role as hegemons.
🔷 Despite all the obstacles and illegitimate sanctions, Russia remains one of the key participants in world trade and is actively developing logistics and the geography of cooperation.
🔷 We will continue to develop relations within the #BRICS not only in the field of economics and finance, but also in the field of security, humanitarian cooperation, and other sectors.
Read in full.
#SPIEF2024
✍️ Russia's President Vladimir Putin sent greeting to the participants, organisers, and guests of the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will take place in St Petersburg on June 5–8, 2024 (May 27, 2024)
✉️ For more than a quarter of a century, the Forum has provided an opportunity for politicians, experts, business leaders, academics, and media professionals from around the world to hold in-depth discussions on key economic development trends in Russia and the world. Participants in plenary sessions, roundtables and panel discussions exchange views on ways to promote international cooperation, encourage scientific and technological progress and the development of human capital, and to effectively tackle the challenges we face.
The theme of the current meeting, The Foundations of a Multipolar World – The Formation of New Areas of Growth, is highly relevant and meaningful. A growing part of the international community is in favour of building a just and democratic system of international relations based on the principles of genuine equality, consideration for each other’s legitimate interests, and respect for the cultural and civilisational diversity of nations.
It is precisely these principles that underpin the activities of #BRICS, which Russia is chairing this year. It is symbolic that the history of this dynamically developing association, whose members already account for more than a third of the global economy, began at the 10th St Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2006.
🤝 Our country is open to constructive dialogue and interaction with partners and is ready to work together to address the economic, social, scientific and technological challenges of our time.
I am confident that the Forum will jump-start new and promising initiatives and projects, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries and peoples.
#SPIEF2024
✍️ Russia's President Vladimir Putin sent greeting to the participants, organisers, and guests of the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will take place in St Petersburg on June 5–8, 2024 (May 27, 2024)
✉️ For more than a quarter of a century, the Forum has provided an opportunity for politicians, experts, business leaders, academics, and media professionals from around the world to hold in-depth discussions on key economic development trends in Russia and the world. Participants in plenary sessions, roundtables and panel discussions exchange views on ways to promote international cooperation, encourage scientific and technological progress and the development of human capital, and to effectively tackle the challenges we face.
The theme of the current meeting, The Foundations of a Multipolar World – The Formation of New Areas of Growth, is highly relevant and meaningful. A growing part of the international community is in favour of building a just and democratic system of international relations based on the principles of genuine equality, consideration for each other’s legitimate interests, and respect for the cultural and civilisational diversity of nations.
It is precisely these principles that underpin the activities of #BRICS, which Russia is chairing this year. It is symbolic that the history of this dynamically developing association, whose members already account for more than a third of the global economy, began at the 10th St Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2006.
🤝 Our country is open to constructive dialogue and interaction with partners and is ready to work together to address the economic, social, scientific and technological challenges of our time.
I am confident that the Forum will jump-start new and promising initiatives and projects, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries and peoples.
#SPIEF2024
🔴#LIVE: Session «Polycentricity: The Norm of a Future World without Colonies and Hegemons» at #SPIEF2024
🔴Ruptly
🔴X (ex-Twitter)
🔴Facebook
🔴Roscongress website
🔴Russia's MFA Website
🎙Briefing by MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova(May 30, 2024)
🔹 FM Sergey Lavrov’s schedule
🔹#SPIEF2024
🔹 Ukrainian crisis
🔹 Situation in Moldova
🔹 EU's anti-Russia sanctions
🔹 Poland’s decision to restrict Russian diplomats’ movement around the country
🔹 The 10th anniversary of the EAEU Treaty
📰Read
📺Watch
***
#Ukraine
Despite Paris's attempts to conceal the involvement of its military personnel in the conflict, the Kiev regime is deliberately publicising this turn of events in order to once again declare broad international support.
<...>
In addition to France, Poland and the Baltic countries also spoke about the possible deployment of their military contingents. What does that mean? That means that their original plan regarding Ukraine has completely failed. They are frantically looking for new ways to continue this campaign. They are still afraid to tell the truth to the citizens of Ukraine that they have become a hostage and now also a victim of NATO’s reckless gamble led by the United States.
#EU#Sanctions
On May 27, 2024, the European Union introduced another anti-Russia sanctions regime under a far-fetched pretext for alleged human rights violations, reprisals against civil society and the democratic opposition. <...> To call a spade a spade, they have created another openly discriminatory mechanism for punishing Russian citizens for their striving to live in a country free from foreign pressure, to uphold their national interests, to speak Russian, just to be citizens and to love their Motherland.
It is surprising that those living in the blooming EU garden (as Josep Borrell once put it) fail to notice obvious things: Such self-exposing Russophobic stunts merely serve to further consolidate our society that clearly sees the real goals of the European Union and the West with regard to Russia.
✍️ Russia's President Vladimir Putin sent greeting to the participants, organisers, and guests of the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will take place in St Petersburg on June 5–8, 2024 (May 27, 2024)
✉️ For more than a quarter of a century, the Forum has provided an opportunity for politicians, experts, business leaders, academics, and media professionals from around the world to hold in-depth discussions on key economic development trends in Russia and the world. Participants in plenary sessions, roundtables and panel discussions exchange views on ways to promote international cooperation, encourage scientific and technological progress and the development of human capital, and to effectively tackle the challenges we face.
The theme of the current meeting, The Foundations of a Multipolar World – The Formation of New Areas of Growth, is highly relevant and meaningful. A growing part of the international community is in favour of building a just and democratic system of international relations based on the principles of genuine equality, consideration for each other’s legitimate interests, and respect for the cultural and civilisational diversity of nations.
It is precisely these principles that underpin the activities of #BRICS, which Russia is chairing this year. It is symbolic that the history of this dynamically developing association, whose members already account for more than a third of the global economy, began at the 10th St Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2006.
🤝 Our country is open to constructive dialogue and interaction with partners and is ready to work together to address the economic, social, scientific and technological challenges of our time.
I am confident that the Forum will jump-start new and promising initiatives and projects, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries and peoples.
tinyurl.com/5n8ha6zu
#SPIEF2024
***
✍️ Президент Российской Федерации В.В.Путин направил телеграмму участникам, организаторам и гостям XXVII Петербургского международного экономического форума
✉️ Приветствую вас по случаю открытия XXVII Петербургского международного экономического форума.
Более четверти века форум предоставляет возможность политикам, экспертам, предпринимателям, учёным и журналистам из разных стран мира всесторонне обсуждать ключевые тенденции развития российской и глобальной экономик. Участники пленарных заседаний, круглых столов и панельных дискуссий обмениваются мнениями о путях продвижения международной кооперации, стимулировании научно-технического прогресса и развитии человеческого капитала, эффективном противостоянии вызовам нашей эпохи.
Тема нынешней встречи – «Основа многополярного мира – формирование новых точек роста» – весьма актуальна и значима. Всё большая часть мирового сообщества выступает в пользу построения справедливой и демократической системы международных отношений, опирающейся на принципы подлинного равноправия, учёта законных интересов друг друга, уважения к культурному и цивилизационному многообразию государств и народов.
☝️ Именно такие принципы лежат в основе деятельности #БРИКС, в котором Россия председательствует в текущем году. Символично, что история этого динамично развивающегося объединения, на долю участников которого приходится уже более трети объёма мировой экономики, берёт начало на X Петербургском международном экономическом форуме, состоявшемся в 2006 году.
Наша страна открыта для конструктивного диалога и взаимодействия с партнёрами, готова к совместной работе для решения экономических, социальных и научно-технологических задач современности.
🤝 Рассчитываю, что форум даст старт новым перспективным инициативам и проектам, послужит наращиванию взаимовыгодного сотрудничества между нашими странами и народами.
tinyurl.com/yc668zrc
🎙Briefing by MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova(May 30, 2024)
🔹 FM Sergey Lavrov’s schedule
🔹#SPIEF2024
🔹 Ukrainian crisis
🔹 Situation in Moldova
🔹 EU's anti-Russia sanctions
🔹 Poland’s decision to restrict Russian diplomats’ movement around the country
🔹 The 10th anniversary of the EAEU Treaty
📰Read
📺Watch
***
#Ukraine
Despite Paris's attempts to conceal the involvement of its military personnel in the conflict, the Kiev regime is deliberately publicising this turn of events in order to once again declare broad international support.
<...>
In addition to France, Poland and the Baltic countries also spoke about the possible deployment of their military contingents. What does that mean? That means that their original plan regarding Ukraine has completely failed. They are frantically looking for new ways to continue this campaign. They are still afraid to tell the truth to the citizens of Ukraine that they have become a hostage and now also a victim of NATO’s reckless gamble led by the United States.
#EU#Sanctions
On May 27, 2024, the European Union introduced another anti-Russia sanctions regime under a far-fetched pretext for alleged human rights violations, reprisals against civil society and the democratic opposition. <...> To call a spade a spade, they have created another openly discriminatory mechanism for punishing Russian citizens for their striving to live in a country free from foreign pressure, to uphold their national interests, to speak Russian, just to be citizens and to love their Motherland.
It is surprising that those living in the blooming EU garden (as Josep Borrell once put it) fail to notice obvious things: Such self-exposing Russophobic stunts merely serve to further consolidate our society that clearly sees the real goals of the European Union and the West with regard to Russia.