Grigory Karasin, Head of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, has highlighted the need for Russian airlines to develop direct air service with African states, which he considers unacceptable.
"It is necessary to continue working out direct air service with the continent by our Russian airlines. The situation when we have no direct air service with sub-Saharan Africa is unacceptable. It is necessary to solve this issue," Karasin stated at a meeting of the expert council on the development and support of comprehensive partnership with African countries under the Deputy Speaker of the State Duma, Alexander Babakov.
In addition to direct air service, Karasin called for several more steps to expand cooperation, including expanding the network of Russian foreign missions in Africa and strengthening their human resources potential. He emphasized the importance of a systematic approach to solving practical issues, rather than ad hoc discussions.
Karasin also stressed the need to train Africanists who could be educated in Russian universities or African educational institutions. He suggested prioritizing the development of education in the Russian language and the creation of centers of open education in Russian in at least 20-28 states of the continent.
The parliamentarian noted that the trade turnover between Russia and Africa is not straightforward, with Russia trailing not only the European Union, China, and the United States but also Turkey in this indicator. However, he pointed out that in the first 11 months of 2022, Russia's trade turnover with African countries increased by 45% to $22.8 billion.
Karasin recalled the close ties Russia had with African states in the 60s and 70s in the spheres of economy, education, and culture. He expressed a desire to return to an era where mutual interest dominates, optimism prevails, and common approaches are set up for productive interaction for mutual prosperity.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS