BRICS, energy, education and trade on the Russia-Eswatini table

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Jan 15:59

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov concludes a meeting with Eswatini Foreign Minister Thuli Dladla on a positive note, further boosting their bilateral ties.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Thulisile Dladla receives Russian Federation Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Cabinet Offices (Eswatini Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation)

Due to the instability of the dollar, BRICS nations are actively attempting to increase payments in national currencies in trade and financial operations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday during a joint press brief from the Kingdom of Eswatini following talks with Eswatini Foreign Minister Thuli Dladla.

"The share of national currencies in settlements between the BRICS countries is already rapidly growing. The BRICS countries have initiatives that address the need to work on the creation of their own currency. The reason is very simple: we cannot rely on mechanisms which are in the hands of those who can cheat at any time and refuse to fulfill their obligations," Lavrov said in the joint brief with Dladla.

Furthermore, during the press brief, Lavrov was asked if Russia's visit to the Kingdom came as a result of the political situation. To that, the Russian FM responded "As a matter of principle, we do not interfere with the political situations of any country, so I cannot comment on those insinuations."

Minister Lavrov (responding to allegations that Russia is here due to Eswatini's political situation: "As a matter of principle, we do not interfere with the political situations of any country, so I cannot comment on those insinuations."
— Eswatini Government (@EswatiniGovern1) January 24, 2023

FM Dladla further explained in the joint briefing that “in addition to the Visa Waiver Agreement, we are hopeful of signing more agreements in fields such as Trade and Investment, Agriculture and Food Security, Tourism, amongst others."

It is worth noting that the Kingdom of Eswatini noted its concern regarding the war in Ukraine and hoped the two countries could find an "amicable solution soon.”

This acknowledgment came at a time when the two countries agreed to waive visa requirements, and the Russian Federation offered Eswatini 10 additional scholarships among other agreements as "the Russian Federation intends to increase bilateral relations and cooperation with Eswatini in Agriculture, Mining, Power Generation etc.”

Minister Lavrov: “Ten scholarships have been offered to emaSwati students currently and it is expected that these should increase to 25. The Russian Federation intends to increase bilateral relations and cooperation with Eswatini in Agriculture, Mining, Power Generation etc.”
— Eswatini Government (@EswatiniGovern1) January 24, 2023

Lavrov lands in Eswatini as part of Africa tour

Following his South Africa visit, Lavrov arrived in the Kingdom of Eswatini, as he continued his Africa tour.

The Russian minister is expected to meet with Eswatini Foreign Minister Thuli Dladla, acting Minister of National Defense and Security Prince Sicalo Dlamini, and Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini in Mbabane.

🇷🇺🇸🇿 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was received by Prime Minister of #Eswatini Cleopas Sipho Dlamini.

📍Mbabane, January 24#RussiaEswatini #RussiaAfrica pic.twitter.com/7yHj0Fg0OL
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) January 24, 2023

A minor nation on the African continent, the Kingdom of Eswatini was known, until 2018, as the Kingdom of Swaziland. It shares borders with South Africa in the south, west, and north, and with Mozambique in the east. The country is completely landlocked and is positioned on a plateau that descends in ledges from west to east. It is also worth noting that Eswatini remains a member of the British Commonwealth countries.