CAPE TOWN, May 14 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday appointed his deputy David Mabuza as special envoy to Russia in a bid to strengthen bilateral ties.
Mabuza will travel to Moscow on Tuesday where he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Khusela Diko, spokesperson for Ramaphosa.
Mabuza will convey Ramaphosa's message of congratulation to Putin on his re-election in March and his subsequent inauguration on May 7 as Russian president, said Diko.
Ramaphosa looks forward to further strengthening the already existing political, economic and trade ties between South Africa and Russia, Diko said.
These relations are underpinned by the common values the two countries share with regard to respect for the rule of law in international relations, multilateralism, the central role of the United Nations in global governance, the spokesperson noted.
South Africa and Russia uphold the primary role of the UN Security Council in the maintenance of global peace and security, the development of bilateral relations on the basis of equality, reciprocity, mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, Diko said.
Ramaphosa will host his Russian counterpart as well as other Heads of State of Brazil, China and India in Johannesburg from July 25-27 when the 10th BRICS Summit takes place, according to Diko.
BRICS is the acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.