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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Putin in key South African visit | Putin in key South African visit |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Vladimir Putin is starting a visit to South Africa, the first ever Russian leader to visit the country. | |
| Mr Putin is due in Cape Town to begin a two-day leg of a wider African tour. He is scheduled to meet the South African President, Thabo Mbeki. | Mr Putin is due in Cape Town to begin a two-day leg of a wider African tour. He is scheduled to meet the South African President, Thabo Mbeki. |
| The two men will attend bilateral trade talks in an effort to strengthen economic and political ties, with several agreements due to be signed. | |
| The Russian premier will be accompanied by a high-profile business delegation. | The Russian premier will be accompanied by a high-profile business delegation. |
| Discussions are likely to focus on investment in the diamond, mining and metals sectors, although the South African foreign ministry said the Middle East crisis and Iran's nuclear ambitions were also on the agenda. | Discussions are likely to focus on investment in the diamond, mining and metals sectors, although the South African foreign ministry said the Middle East crisis and Iran's nuclear ambitions were also on the agenda. |
| Mbeki and Putin are expected to reach agreements in a number of areas, including health care and space exploration, which South Africa is keen to become more involved in. | Mbeki and Putin are expected to reach agreements in a number of areas, including health care and space exploration, which South Africa is keen to become more involved in. |
| During his state of the nation address in May, President Putin stated that he wanted relations to improve between Russia and Africa. | During his state of the nation address in May, President Putin stated that he wanted relations to improve between Russia and Africa. |
| The two-day visit comes at a time when Russian companies are becoming increasingly aware of Chinese influence and activity on the continent. | The two-day visit comes at a time when Russian companies are becoming increasingly aware of Chinese influence and activity on the continent. |