Russia hosts African ministers to expand ties

(CLO) Russia opened the first Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Ministerial Conference in Sochi on Saturday, aiming to strengthen ties with African countries and dispel the notion that the country is isolated by sanctions from the West.

The conference is designed to build on the Russia-Africa summit last summer, where Russian President Vladimir Putin met with African leaders and proposed expanding political and trade ties.

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos (left) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Photo: AP

The two-day ministerial conference is attended by government and business leaders from Russia and African countries. Anton Kobyakov, an adviser to President Putin, said the event would be maintained regularly in a similar format.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told state news agency RIA Novosti that the conference had “destroyed hopes” of Russia’s isolation. She said dozens of bilateral meetings had taken place between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and African representatives, praising the “multipolarity” the event demonstrated.

Cao Phong (according to RIA, AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nga-tiep-don-cac-bo-truong-chau-phi-de-mo-rong-quan-he-post320836.html