Russia and Africa have resolved to continue to develop mutually beneficial partnerships and seek new forms and areas to speed the development of the African continent, President Vladimir Putin of Russia has disclosed.
He said his country and the representatives of 49 African countries, including 17 heads of state who attended the just-ended Russia-Africa summit, have also agreed to push a multi-polar world order and fight neocolonialism.
“Indicatively, the participants adopted a solid package of joint documents. First, I will mention the St Petersburg Declaration which was approved by the leaders. It formalises strategic areas for the development of Russia’s cooperation with African countries in a long-term perspective,” he told journalists after the end of the summit last Friday.
Representatives of 49 countries, including 17 heads of state, attended the summit in the Russian city of St Petersburg.
Participants signed a joint declaration that called for “the establishment of a more just, balanced and stable multipolar world order, firmly opposing all types of international confrontation in the African continent”.
“All our states confirmed their commitment to the formation of a fair and democratic multipolar world order based on the universally recognised principles of international law and the UN Charter. They expressed their joint resolve to counter neocolonialism, the practice of using illegitimate sanctions and attempts to undermine traditional moral values,” he said.
Cooperation, he said, would continue in the areas of education and personnel training, adding that the number of African students receiving education in Russia would be increased, including government-funded students.
“Branches of Russia’s leading universities, as well as secondary schools, including those with several subjects taught in Russian, will be opened in African countries through joint efforts.”
He said, “We also plan to assist our African partners in strengthening their national health care systems and enhancing their reliability, technological level, potential for fast response, and resilience in coping with epidemics.”
To this end, he said, an ambitious programme would be launched to assist African countries in combatting infections through 2026, for a total amount of 1.2 billion rubles.
The Russian President said, “I would like to say that I am pleased that the main events of the official programme of the second Russia-Africa Summit have taken place in a constructive and friendly atmosphere and produced tangible results. This also applies to the Economic and Humanitarian Forum, sessions of the summit, and a special meeting with the heads of African regional organisations.”
The Chairman of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, thanked the Russian President for hosting the Summit, describing it as a success, adding that when “Russia wins, Africa wins”.
The AU chief added that African countries were pleased with the results of the meetings with Russian representatives at the summit.
He stressed the need for the establishment of a free trade zone in Africa, saying it would boost trade on the continent.
He said President Putin showed his readiness for a dialog on Ukraine, now it is necessary to convince Kiev.
“It is necessary for us to achieve a ceasefire because war is always unpredictable and the longer it lasts, the less predictable it becomes,” he said.
BY DAVID ADADEVOH
