The synergy of theoretical views and practical experience of Russia's cooperation with African countries may help elaborate new approaches to the development of Russia-Africa interaction within the framework of the forthcoming second Russia-Africa summit. Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian President's Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister, said this on Monday at the plenary session of the 15th conference of Africanists at TASS in an online format.
"We note with satisfaction the growing interest of the expert community towards Africa and hope for the active involvement of scientists, politicians, economists in the development of new ideas in the context of preparations for the upcoming Russia-Africa summit. An independent evaluation by the academic community of the state and prospects of our relations with the countries of the African continent is very important for us," he said. - "For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia is ready to share its practical experience accumulated over the years of cooperation with the states of Africa. Such synergy of views from our point of view will result in the birth of new approaches to the further development of the Russian-African cooperation".
The Deputy Minister reminded that the preparation for the new Russia-Africa summit to be held next year in one of the countries of the African continent, has already started. In addition, he said, the roadmaps for Russian-African cooperation in economic, scientific and humanitarian spheres are being worked on at full speed.
"The forthcoming summit, as was the case with the first summit, will also be preceded by a large number of events in various areas of our interaction," Bogdanov added. In particular, he noted that the Russian-African joint forums organized late last year contributed to strengthening academic, cultural and youth ties, and recalled that in March this year the United Russia party held an inter-party conference "Russia - Africa: reviving traditions."
Russia-Africa relations
Bogdanov noted that Russia's interaction with the countries of the African region has now reached a new stage and is on the rise in various areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
"Political, economic, military-technical, humanitarian interaction is now on the rise. The main thing for us is not to miss the moment and actively contribute to building full-format, multifaceted, mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and the states of the African continent," he said. - "We are determined to move forward together with our African friends".
According to Bogdanov, Moscow is determined to share experience with partners in the region not only in traditional areas, but also in new, high-tech ones, which "are in more and more demand today." "We are ready to act together and help bridge the gap that separates African countries from the modern hightech community. I am confident that such cooperation will benefit both sides," said the senior diplomat.
The President's Special Representative recalled that Russia "has made a significant contribution to efforts to decolonize Africa," and today a new stage of Russian-African cooperation is underway. "The attention we pay to Africa is backed by support at the highest level," Bogdanov added.
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS