Photo: Oleg KARPOV
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki visited Russia, where, as part of his visit, he participated in the Primakov Readings and held negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the heads of several Russian federal departments. He later participated in a briefing for Russian journalists.
Thabo Mbeki recognized the importance of Russia’s cooperation with South Africa and other African countries in modernizing the coal energy industry, using modern Russian technologies to develop the coal industry and supporting sustainable development programs for Africa’s leading economy.
“We are working on the modernization of coal plants in South Africa, which supply 95% of the country’s energy consumption. Many of them are obsolete and produce less energy, so we are now facing an energy crisis. It is clear that they need modernization,” said the former president of South Africa. “We hope that the Russian Federation will use its international policy capabilities to ensure that ESG provisions are met.”
At the same time, the politician noted, Russia produces a large amount of electricity at coal-fired plants in Siberia.
“These Russian technologies work reliably and that is why they interest us. That is why we are now studying this experience and working to apply it in South Africa,” said the former South African president.
Russia and South Africa can take a number of measures to develop the country’s sustainable development program. The United Nations Sustainable Development Program was adopted in 2015 and will extend until 2030.
“Only 15% of the set objectives have been achieved. This means that in the remaining seven years it is necessary to complete 85% and each year we must receive 3.4 billion dollars to achieve results and maintain the pace of development,” emphasized the former president of South Africa.
Responding to a Komsomolskaya Pravda correspondent’s question about other promising areas of cooperation between our countries, Thabo Mbeki pointed to the possibility of creating a transport corridor from Russia to Africa.
“The African continent (and the Russian Federation knows this) is very interested in this integration. And also in the development of the project “The African continent – free trade zone,” the politician noted. – The concept requires implementation. But to achieve results in building a free trade zone, transportation is becoming one of those aspects that is of particular importance.”
Thabo Mbeki stressed to journalists that when he talks about transport he means roads, railways, air and sea transport, as the movement of goods and services will be necessary. Having such infrastructure on the continent becomes very important.
“For South Africa, the only trade route that comes to mind is shipping around the Cape of Good Hope and therefore access to South African ports along the South African coast. I am sure that this can be organized without problems,” summarized the former president of South Africa.
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