On March 20-25, 2006, a delegation of employees of the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences visited South Africa at the invitation of the South African Institute of Africa (AISA) within the framework of the cooperation agreement between the two scientific institutions (this is the third meeting).

AIS is one of the leading research centers in South Africa. It has a staff of about 30 employees. The Institute was established in 1960 as an independent non-profit scientific organization. AISA is primarily concerned with political, socio-economic, international and development issues in contemporary Africa. The Institute conducts scientific research, publishes monographs, collections, and a scientific journal published every three months. The Institute has one of the best libraries in the world on African issues, containing, in addition to books, an extensive documentary database on each of the African countries.

One of the main areas of activity of the Institute is also the regular holding of forums on the most important and topical issues. One of these events was the joint conference of the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences and AIS on the topic "The role of Russia and South Africa in Africa".

The conference was opened by Professor Pierre Hugo, Head of the AIS Research Programs, who in his opening speech welcomed the Russian participants and, through them, the "internationally recognized school of Russian African studies". Then 10 reports were presented to the audience for discussion - 5 from each side. Presentations by South African scientists were devoted to such topics as "The contradiction between national interests and the ethics of humanitarian intervention on the example of South Africa and Russia's policy on Darfur" (K. Adar), "South Africa and Russia in Africa in the 1990s - 2010s: the transition from a policy of strength to a policy of partnership for development". development" (V. Thomas), "Interpretation and functional analysis of South African and Russian folklore: possibilities of their use for the development of public relations between the two countries" (E. Malete), "Politics of Russia and South Africa in Africa on the example of the DRC" (Ya. April and K. Mbulawa), " Changing paradigms in relation to-

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cooperation between South Africa and Russia and expanding opportunities for sustainable development "(f. Nwonwu).

Russian participants made the following presentations:: "Russia and Africa today. Lessons and Prospects of cooperation "(M. N. Amvrosova), "The Role of South Africa in Modern Africa" (L. N. Rytoe), "The Army and Military Industry of Russia and South Africa" (G. V. Shubin), "Russia's Economic Presence in South Africa" (E. V. Morozenskaya), "Development Projects in South Africa Africa: Prospects for Russian Investment" (A.V. Pritvorov).

In their speeches, South African scientists noted the intensification of foreign policy of African countries in recent years, which, however, " lacks awareness of the national goal and the desire to implement it in solving the tasks set." In assessing Russia's policy towards South Africa and Africa, our South African colleagues highlighted the principle of respect for the sovereignty of African states, which Russia has consistently adhered to. Adar). Changes in Russian foreign policy in general and in its African component, in particular, caused by the collapse of the USSR and changes in the world, were analyzed. There was a shift in the center of gravity in Russia's African policy from the ideological and military components to the economic and humanitarian ones. This development, according to Thomas, opens up new prospects for cooperation, including in the trade and economic sphere, as well as in the fight against AIDS, natural disasters, social ills, etc.

On the basis of extensive factual material, numerous statistical data, as well as research by Russian scientists, an attempt was made to give a periodization of the development of the African direction of Russian foreign policy in the post-Soviet period. The African policy of Russia in the early 1990s was criticized for its exclusion from participation in solving African problems and providing assistance to Africa, as well as for insufficient state control over compliance by commercial structures with the arms embargo on warring countries, in particular the DRC. It should be noted that the criticism of the Russian Federation was quite well-reasoned and correct. Since 2000, positive developments have taken place in Russia's African policy "in the spirit of the multi-option approach proposed by President Putin" (K. Mbulawa).

The South African scientists ' vision of Russia's position on certain African problems, in particular the conflicts in Sudan and the DRC, was presented. Russia's participation in UN peacekeeping operations to resolve crisis situations in Africa was positively assessed (K. Adar, Y. April). The Russian side emphasized the significant influence that South Africa has on the African continent and the crucial role that South Africa plays in the development of the NEPAD program and efforts to implement it (L. N. Rytov).

They discussed the results and prospects of Russian-African cooperation both on a bilateral and multilateral basis - within the framework of the UN and the G8. It was noted that the current gap between the realities and opportunities of Russian-African cooperation is largely the result of underestimation of the African potential on the part of the political and business elite of our country, the lack of tangible and consistent support for business by the state. At the same time, the opinion was expressed and justified that Russia and African countries need to expand interaction and cooperation both for their own development and for ensuring their interests in the international arena (M. N. Amvrosova).

The reports of V. Thomas, F. Nwonwu, E. V. Morozenskaya, and A. V. Pritvorov addressed the issues of Africa's economic development and its place in the world economy to a greater or lesser extent. An assessment was made of Russia's trade and economic presence in Africa at the beginning of the 21st century, and the state and prospects of Russia's economic presence in Africa were considered. It was noted that despite the growing activity of Russian companies in Africa, competition between Russian and African mining companies in the global gas, aluminum and other markets often comes to the fore. Overcoming this situation is possible by developing various forms of cooperation between Russian companies operating in Africa and their African partners (E. V. Morozenskaya).

In continuation of this topic, A.V. Pritvorov outlined possible areas of cooperation with South Africa, in particular in the field of nuclear energy development. An example of a joint Russian-African-American project involving participants from other countries is given. It was emphasized that this project contains a huge

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the potential to create jobs, including in related industries, and reduce unemployment, which is one of the necessary conditions for sustainable development.

Another area in which Russian and South African businesses have recently become increasingly interested is the military-industrial complex. Here, according to G. V. Shubin, both sides are interested in mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation both in the field of joint production of certain types of military equipment, and in the interaction of combat units within the UN peacekeeping forces.

After the presentations, the discussion focused on the impact of globalization processes on the development of African countries, possible results of the implementation of the NEPAD program and the G8 Action Plan for Africa, options for Russia and Africa's responses to modern challenges, such as terrorism, poverty, pandemics of tropical diseases and AIDS, environmental pollution, unemployment, etc. Many African researchers have noted the desirability of a more constructive policy of the Russian Federation in Africa, which ultimately should contribute to the movement towards a multipolar world. The activities of the People's Republic of China on the continent, which is now a real competitor of both the West and Russia, were cited as an example of an offensive and effective policy. (By the way, representatives of the Chinese Embassy, unlike other diplomatic missions, attended the conference and showed interest in receiving its materials.)

Based on the results of the conference, the following conclusions were drawn:

- The foreign policy activities of South Africa and Russia in Africa have significantly intensified in recent years. Coordination of their efforts would help develop a common position of Russia, South Africa and most African countries on topical international issues, such as terrorism, the situation in Iraq, etc. There was a need to develop a concept of developing countries ' response to the challenges of globalization, not only in the economic but also in the political sphere;

- the dynamics of economic relations between South Africa and Russia with other African countries indicate a trend of slow but stable growth in foreign trade turnover and capital investment flow. The most promising object of Russian and South African investment at present is the raw materials of Africa. One of the serious problems that hinders the development of economic ties and has not yet been resolved is the receipt of loans by business structures in Russian and South African banks.

In addition to participating in the conference, the participants of the meeting in Pretoria discussed issues of expanding ties between the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the South African Institute of Africa. Both sides expressed a desire to establish a more intensive exchange of information and materials. An agreement was reached to publish the reports delivered at the conference in English in Pretoria and in Russian in Moscow. A new agreement on cooperation between the institutes was signed for a period of three years. Russian scientists visited the AIS library and got acquainted with catalogues and current scientific periodicals. The books received as a gift were transferred to the library of the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

There was a separate meeting and a long conversation with professors of the leading educational and scientific center of South Africa - the University of South Africa F. Eidelberg and J. Liebenberg. The delegation of Russian scientists also visited the Nelson Mandela House Museum in Soweto and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

In accordance with the program of the trip, the delegation of the Institute of Africa visited Durban, the third most populous city in South Africa, where they met with professors from the University of Kwazulu-Natal. The sides exchanged views on the political, economic and social development of South Africa and other African countries, as well as Russian-African relations. The delegation got acquainted with the structure of the university, its scientific research, and the life of the student campus.

In general, I would like to note the friendly and benevolent attitude of South African scientists towards their Russian colleagues, which was felt throughout the visit. Both sides expressed the opinion that it is necessary to expand cooperation between South African and Russian Africanists, since the combination of common interests and different research traditions in the study of specific scientific problems can lead to effective scientific results and the emergence of new directions in modern African studies.

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