The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has sent greetings to the participants and guests of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, to be held in St. Petersburg on 27–28 July.
“Today, Africa is, with increasing confidence, asserting itself as one of the poles of the emerging multipolar world,” says the greeting. “Positive changes are gaining momentum here in manufacturing and agriculture, in transport infrastructure and the fuel and energy sector, in health care and education, and in other areas.”
The Russian head of state noted that Russia supports the aspirations of African states for socio-economic stability and progress. “It is important that in recent years our cooperation with Africa has reached a new level,” Vladimir Putin emphasized. “We intend to further develop it: to stimulate trade and investment, to deepen cooperation, to work together on such pressing issues as the fight against poverty, training a modern workforce, food security, and climate change. And of course, we will continue to assist our African partners in every possible way in strengthening their national and cultural sovereignty, and in playing a more active role in addressing regional and global issues.”
The Russian President also expressed confidence that the Forum will become an important event in Russian–African relations, and that it will ensure relations become even more multidimensional and comprehensive.
Source: kremlin.ru
