President Jacob Zuma's replies to parliamentary questions for written reply

Mr J H Steenhuisen (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1)(a) How many times since the beginning of 2013 did he as Chairperson of the National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordination Committee meet with employees of a certain company (name furnished), (b) what was discussed at each meeting, (c) when was each meeting held, (d) where was each meeting held and (e) who accompanied him on each of these meetings;

(2)(a) what was the total cost of his meetings, (b) what is the detailed breakdown of the costs involved and (c) who paid for each item respectively? NW2316E

Reply:

1.(a) I have not met with officials and employees of the foreign company referred to. 

2.Since there were no meetings, then the questions about costs therefore fall away.

1314. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1)What was the cost of (a) travel, (b) accommodation and (c) any other specified expenditure of his recent trip to Russia;

(2) how much of the taxpayer's money was specifically spent on the rest component of his visit;

(3) what was his schedule for each day of the trip;

(4)(a) what was the nature of the content discussed during his visit, (b) was the nuclear build project specifically discussed and (c) what agreements and/or resolutions, if any, were reached by the parties;

(5) were any members of the economics cluster involved in the talks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1610E

Written reply:

I undertook a high level Working Visit to the Russian Federation in August 2014 to take forward our bilateral relations with Russia through discussions with His Excellency President Vladimir Putin. 

The figures in relation to the cost of the visit are not available yet.

The visit was guided by South Africa's bilateral relations with the Russian Federation, which are informed by political, economic, social, defence and security cooperation and all the relevant legal instruments and mechanisms that affirm the strategic relationship between the two countries.

In meetings we expressed satisfaction with progress made towards strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. We agreed to cooperate in the advancement of the African Agenda and finding lasting solutions towards ensuring global peace, security and stability. 

The security situation of the African continent was discussed at length. We discussed cooperation in peace missions that South Africa is involved in, including request for support for the African Capacity to Respond to Immediate Crisis. 

We also discussed the situation in the Ukraine and the need to find solutions. We also reflected on developments in the Middle East, in particular the need for the resolution of the Israeli-Palestine conflict.

We also further agreed to cooperate in addressing multilateral issues of mutual interest and concern. 

We expressed satisfaction with the growing trade relations in various areas and also welcomed the discussions that had been taking place between the two governments on energy cooperation among other areas. The agreement between the South African Government and the Government of the Russian Federation on the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation in the Fields of Nuclear Power and Industry was signed last month.

I further raised the matter of the repatriation of South African liberation heroes who are buried in Russia, Mr J.B. Marks and Mr Moses Kotane. Processes relating to the repatriation have begun.

There were no members of the economic cluster on the visit. I did not deem it necessary to travel with my economic cluster Ministers.

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