- The third Russia-Africa summit will take place in Moscow in October
- Russia and Sahel states united against neocolonial practices, Sergey Lavrov tells ministerial consultations
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to the heads of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to attend the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow at a meeting in Niamey.
“The third Russia-Africa summit will take place in Moscow in October, and President Putin, wishing every success to our meeting, has asked me to tell your leaders that he would be very happy to see the presidents of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger at this summit,” the minister said at the Russia – Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
According to him, the summit’s agenda will be centered on economic, trade and investment issues. “That is why we expect relevant ministers, representatives of the business community to join your delegations.
“We would be happy to see them at the economic and humanitarian forum, which will take place on the sidelines of the summit,” the Russian foreign minister noted.
He also expressed hope that foreign ministers of Sahel countries will also attend the summit.
Lavrov, who addressed the opening of the second ministerial consultations between Russia and the AES in Niger Republic, said Moscow wants to deepen cooperation with the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) in support of the bloc’s integration efforts and security priorities.
He said the two sides share a vision of a “fair multipolar world order” and opposition to “neocolonial practices.”
“We are united by a common understanding of the need to build a fair multipolar world order and by our joint efforts against neocolonial practices, which remain very much alive among our Western colleagues,” he said.
Lavrov said Russia hopes its cooperation with the bloc will strengthen the sovereignty of member states and expand bilateral and multilateral ties.
On the sidelines of the consultations, Lavrov held separate meetings with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, Nigerien Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare and Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traore. He was also received by Niger’s President Abdourahamane Tiani.
During his meeting with Diop, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the two sides discussed expanding trade, investment and energy cooperation as well as joint projects in geology, mineral resource development, infrastructure, transportation, education, culture and sports.
They also exchanged views on global and regional issues, including counterterrorism cooperation in the Sahel.
The talks with Sangare focused on strengthening bilateral relations following the reopening of Russia’s embassy in Niamey earlier this year.
According to the ministry, the sides discussed expanding economic, investment and humanitarian ties, improving the legal framework for cooperation and coordinating positions on international issues.
In his meeting with Traore, Lavrov discussed efforts to deepen Russia-Burkina Faso cooperation, with particular emphasis on investment, humanitarian projects and preparations for the first session of a bilateral intergovernmental commission on trade, economic and scientific-technical cooperation.
The two sides also discussed closer coordination at the United Nations and other multilateral forums as well as cooperation in combating terrorism and promoting security and stability in Africa.
All three meetings also included discussions on international affairs, with the participants expressing support for a more equitable multipolar world order based on international law and the central role of the United Nations while opposing what they called neocolonial practices.
Written with reports from TASS, Anadolu Agency
