Russia has confirmed its intention to help strengthen Mali's defense capabilities and will fulfill all previous agreements, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday at a news conference following talks with Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop.
"We confirmed our interest in further development of military and technical cooperation, military ties that have a rich history. Relevant agreements were signed in this regard in previous years, and we will fulfill them, including ensuring support for the Malian government's efforts in terms of the country's defense capabilities, especially in the face of the threat of terrorism that persists," he said.
The head of the diplomatic office also pointed out that Moscow will continue to support Bamako in the UN Security Council "in the context of the search for solutions to conflicts in Africa." "Our position is principal and not subject to change: Africans should work out the ways of solving their problems themselves and the international community should provide them with necessary support," Lavrov summed up.
The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the terrorist threat in Mali persists and risks aggravation against the background of France's reduction of its presence in the republic. "The [terrorist] threat persists, including the recent risk of escalation, given the French government's decision to significantly reduce its presence [in the country]," he said.
Lavrov said he would visit Mali at the invitation of the country's authorities, and the timing and agenda of the visit would be worked out.
"Mr. Minister invited me to visit Mali. I gladly accept this invitation, we will agree on its dates and agenda additionally," he said.
Mali has experienced two military coups since August 2020. In the first, which took place on August 18, 2020, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was removed from power. A military group appointed Ba Ndao as interim president of Mali. In May of this year, however, he was ousted by the same military group, and by constitutional court ruling, Vice President Assimi Goita became Mali's transitional president and head of state. The new leadership of Mali reaffirmed the commitment made in September 2020 by the authorities of the country to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in February 2022.
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS