Gabon will send a high-level delegation to represent the republic at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Gabon Foreign Minister Pak Moubele-Boubeya said on Thursday at a press conference following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
"There will be an international economic forum in St. Petersburg soon - already next week. Gabon will be represented by a high-level delegation," he said.
The head of the Gabonese diplomatic mission also stressed the readiness of Libreville to increase the volume of trade turnover with Moscow and generally strengthen cooperation in the economic sphere. "We have begun talks on strengthening economic cooperation in the field of hydrocarbon production, as well as in the field of pharmaceuticals and many others, which will help us to increase the potential of bilateral contacts," the diplomat added.
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will take place on June 2-5 and will be held offline. The theme of this year's forum is "Together Again - Economy of New Reality". More than a hundred discussions are planned.
UNSC openness to Africa
Moubele-Boubeya said Libreville is grateful for Moscow's constructive approach to reforming the UN Security Council by increasing African representation in the body.
"We appreciate the Russian side supporting the approach toward more openness," he said. - "Unfortunately, Africa is not permanently represented in the Security Council, although we know that most of the Security Council's agenda deals precisely with African issues."
In this regard, the diplomat expressed his conviction that the UN activities in this area remain ineffective, since "Africa itself cannot have a say so that its opinion is taken into account on a permanent basis".
Russia-Africa Summit
Moubele-Boubeya believes that not only the countries of the continent, but also the Russian Federation itself will benefit from the second Russia-Africa summit to be held in 2022.
Gabon's Foreign Minister expressed confidence that the second forum would be very productive. "The second forum will be very important. Of course, Africa will only benefit from it. These exchanges are not in one direction, not only Africa will benefit from such meetings, but I hope that Africa can also contribute, give something to Russia," he said, answering a question to TASS.
The Minister stressed that the first summit was useful for both sides. According to him, Russia and Africa have a special relationship. "This forum is an opportunity to shake Russia's hand, which is not reaching out to us, but shaking it. It is evidence of the respect that Russia has for Africa, it is also evidence of trust, confidence in this partnership, it is a very active and mutually beneficial partnership," he said.
The first Russia-Africa summit was held in Sochi on October 23-24, 2019, co-chaired by Russian and Egyptian presidents Vladimir Putin and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. It was attended by representatives from all 54 countries of the continent, 43 of which were represented at the highest level.
Military products
Gabon expects continued deliveries of military products from Russia, Moubele-Boubeya said. He pointed to continued military-technical cooperation between the two countries. "We have already received [from Russia] military products, new deliveries are expected in the future," the Gabonese Minister said.
Moubele-Boubeya noted that Gabon also receives support from Russia in terms of military training. "The Russian Federation has provided the Gabonese Republic with additional training places for the Gabonese military, which will strengthen our defense capabilities," he added.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Valery Sharifulin / TASS
Based on materials from TASS