Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with his Malagasy counterpart Eloi Maxime Dovo on Monday, October 21, 2018 in Moscow. |
Moscow, Russia (ADV) – Africans must bring their own solutions
to the continent’s problems, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on
Monday (October 21) at the opening of the first edition of the Russian-African
Social Forum in Moscow. This event aims to be a platform for discussion on the
interaction between Russia and African countries on various issues. Thus,
special attention is given to the development of cultural, humanitarian,
commercial and economic cooperation.
1st Forum on Russian-African Cooperation in Moscow
Clearly, the Russian-African Social Forum aims to “strengthen
relations between Russia and Africa which dates back to the 15th century,”
defended Sergei Lavrov, speaking at the opening of the meeting. Since late 2017, Russian politics has taken a new dimension in
Africa. This resumption of contact with the African continent after the end of
the former Soviet Union today leads to a strong presence in at least ten
countries of the continent.
The head of Russian diplomacy also said that “Russia does not
have to blame itself for colonial crimes, on the contrary, it has accompanied
the struggles for independence in Africa”. Russia has traditional relations with African nations that the
former USSR had supported during decolonization. Including Angola and
Mozambique, two former Portuguese colonies which became independent in 1975.
“Our country is very concerned about the right of peoples to
self-determination and to choose their development model, and to African
problems, African solutions,” Sergei Lavrov pleaded.
Organized by the African Business Initiative (ABI), the Forum
brings together the global network of former African graduates of Russian and
Soviet universities and colleges to discuss the cultural, humanitarian,
commercial and economic dialogue between Africa and Russia. About 500 people from Russia and some thirty African countries
take part in this meeting.
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