Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Marius Fransman has successfully concluded his two-day working visit to Azerbaijan, where he reviewed bilateral relations and discussed possible cooperation in the field of energy.
Fransman, who held bilateral discussions with his counterpart Khalaf Khalafov Aly Oglu, exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of common interest and looked at cooperation in the field of energy, defence, education and skills development, especially in the field of oil engineering.
According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, it is envisaged that Memoranda of Understanding on energy cooperation between the counties will be signed this year.
“Strengthening relations in the field of economic and infrastructure development were also discussed. This included initiating skills transfer in the areas of mineral beneficiation, manufacturing and energy, including alternative energy,” said Monyela.
The two deputy ministers also proposed ways to strengthen industrial cooperation, where they agreed to exchanges in skills development, including people-to-people and institutional interactions.
During the visit Fransman, who was accompanied by officials from PetroSA, also met with the Minister of Industry and Energy, Economic Development, as well as with the Vice President of the state oil company of Azerbaijan, SOCAR.
He also met with the President of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation, AZPROMO, to look at how the two countries can fast track training and education, especially in the oil sector.
It was further proposed that delegations from South Africa and Azerbaijan, comprising the energy and industrial sector, undertake a study tour of each other's countries to share experiences and information on projects being implemented in these sectors.
Azerbaijan is well known for its oil springs and natural gas sources since ancient times.
Fransman, supported by the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Rejoice Mabudhafhasi, is now in Geneva, where he will lead a South African delegation to the High Level Segment of the Extra-Ordinary Conferences of States Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (ExCOP2).
The ExCOP2 aims to improve efficiency in the life cycle management of chemicals and hazardous waste at the national, regional and global levels; to promote coherent policy guidance, and to further enhance efficiency in the provision of support to parties. - SAnews.gov.za
