The Senator spoke highly of Russia-South Africa cooperation in promoting opportunities for women in all spheres of life.
Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Galina Karelova
Karelova
Galina Representative of the executive authority of the Voronezh Region
has met with South African Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu.
The event was also attended by Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy Inna Svyatenko and First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Vladimir Poletayev.
Galina Karelova pointed out that South Africa was a key partner for Russia in Africa and that bilateral relations were based on confidential political dialogue.
The Senator spoke highly of Russia-South Africa cooperation in promoting opportunities for women in all spheres of life and thanked South African delegates for their active stand at the Eurasian Women’s Forum and within the framework of joint projects and initiatives.
She cited examples like the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA). The declaration on its establishment was unanimously supported and adopted by the leaders of Brazil, India, China, Russia and South Africa.
“Tourism is one of the most promising and important spheres of our bilateral cooperation. Despite limiting factors on the development of tourism with South Africa like a great distance and the absence of direct flights, our countries are working together actively in this sphere,” the Deputy Speaker noted.
Galina Karelova recalled that the basis for stable growth of tourist exchanges between Russia and South Africa was created in 2017, when the parties signed an intergovernmental protocol on mutual visa exemption for the holders of travel passports.
The use of the MIR payment system is another major factor that could considerably increase the number of tourists in South Africa, the Senator said. “This will help boost trade, economic and investment cooperation between our countries,” she noted.
Lindiwe Sisulu spoke about the importance of further development and strengthening of relations with Russia and called for resuming bilateral tourism. She expressed hope that direct flights between the two countries would resume soon.
Lindiwe Sisulu also spoke for deepening interparliamentary ties and cooperation within the framework of BRICS and the Eurasian Women’s Forum.