Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has touched down in the Republic of Guinea, marking the beginning of his latest African tour. Lavrov's plane landed in Conakry early Monday morning, as reported by a correspondent from TASS.
During his visit, Lavrov is slated to meet with political leaders in Conakry. This trip marks Lavrov's first working visit to Guinea since February 2013.
“Russian-Guinean relations are founded on friendship, with an active political dialogue in place,” stated the Russian Foreign Ministry. A Declaration on the principles of friendly relations and partnership between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Guinea was signed in Moscow on July 27, 2001. Since 2002, the Intergovernmental Russian-Guinean Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Trade Cooperation has been operational. Furthermore, during a meeting between Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, and Guinean President Alpha Condé on September 27, 2017, it was decided to establish an interparliamentary commission.
Historical Ties and Development
The USSR was the first state to establish diplomatic relations with Guinea on October 4, 1958, just two days after the country's independence proclamation. Over the years, the relationship between the two nations flourished. With the assistance of the USSR, Guinea witnessed the construction of 30 industrial and civil projects, including the largest bauxite mining complex in the city of Kindia (commissioned in 1974). Bauxite, the main export of Guinea, is crucial for the aluminum industry. Supplies to the USSR (48 million tons from 1974 to 1991) covered one-third of the aluminum industry's needs in the USSR.
Russian United Company Rusal operates in Guinea and has become the largest foreign employer in the republic, holding a dominant position in bauxite mining. Additionally, the countries collaborate closely in the humanitarian sphere. Russia aided Guinea in combating the Ebola virus epidemic and continues to assist in fighting other infectious diseases. Guinean students have quotas in Russian universities.
Moreover, Moscow highlights the alignment of positions between the two countries on major international and regional issues. “During the 78th session of the UNGA, Conakry supported our resolutions on space issues. On this platform, the Guineans voted favorably for us on the Ukrainian subject and refrained from supporting international initiatives of anti-Russian orientation,” noted the Russian Foreign Ministry. During Lavrov's meetings in Guinea, discussions are expected to cover cooperation in these areas, with attention paid to prospects for expanding cooperation.
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials