OREANDA-NEWS. April 13, 2012. Dmitry Medvedev congratulated the South African leader on his 70th birthday. The heads of state expressed mutual satisfaction with the high level of understanding and cooperation achieved between Russia and South Africa, both in bilateral affairs and in multilateral formats. In this context, the two leaders gave a very positive assessment of the recent BRICS summit in New Delhi and the Russian-South African high-level talks held within its framework.

The President of Russia also sent the President of South Africa a congratulatory message reading, in part:

“The people of the Republic of South Africa rightly associate your name with consistent socioeconomic changes and the strengthening of sovereignty in your nation, as well as its increase in prestige on the international arena.

I would particularly like to note your significant personal input into the formation of a new quality in Russian-South African relations, which are based on constructive partnership in bilateral and international affairs.

Our meetings always take place in an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding. This was confirmed during our recent talks in New Delhi at the BRICS summit. I am confident that the agreements we reached will aid in the implementation of promising new projects and initiatives in foreign policy, economics, culture, and science.

I am certain that cooperation between Russia and South Africa will continue to develop dynamically for the good of our peoples, in the interest of stability and security on the African continent and throughout the world.”