Putin makes first visit to South Africa

CAPETOWN, South Africa, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first state visit to South Africa Tuesday for talks on bilateral trade and to sign a treaty on partnership.

Several government ministers and a major trade delegation accompanied Putin, who met with South African President Thabo Mbeki and Nicky Oppenheimer, the chairman of De Beers Group, the world's biggest diamond producer.

"The presidents will sign a number of documents, including a treaty on friendship and partnership, an agreement on cooperation in healthcare, and an agreement on mutual protection of intellectual property rights in the sphere of military-technical cooperation," Putin's aide, Sergei Prikhodko said.

The Kremlin has said trade between the two countries could be significantly increased from the 2005 figure of $171 million, the Novosti news agency reported.

Putin will depart Capetown Wednesday for a one-day visit to Morocco before returning to Moscow, the report said.