(AGENPARL) – KREMLIN sab 17 giugno 2023

As previously agreed, representatives
of seven African countries arrived in St Petersburg to hold talks on possible
ways to resolve the situation around Ukraine.

The delegation included President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema, Chairperson
of the African Union and President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani, President of the Republic of Senegal Macky Sall, President of the South African Republic
Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mostafa Mabdouli,
Minister of State and Director of the Cabinet of the President of the Republic
of the Congo Florent Ntsiba, and Special Envoy of the President of Uganda for Special Duties Ruhakana Rugunda.

On the Russian side, the meeting was
attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Chairperson
of the African Union, President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani,

President of the Republic of Senegal, Mr Macky Sall, President of the South African Republic, Mr Cyril
Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mostafa
Mabdouli,

Representatives of the Republic of the Congo and Uganda,

Friends,

I am genuinely happy to welcome all
of you in St Petersburg.

Comprehensive development of ties
with African countries is a priority of Russian foreign policy. We have consistently
stood for further consolidating the traditionally friendly relations with
African countries and the primary regional association – the African Union –
based on principles of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs.

This year our cooperation with our
African partners has been actively developing in the broadest possible range of directions. Comprehensive preparations are underway for a milestone event – the second Russia-Africa summit to be held soon here, in St Petersburg. I am
confident that promising new directions of cooperation in political relations,
trade and economic ties, science and technology, humanitarian affairs and other
fields will be outlined during this event.

I would like to underscore that
Russia has the utmost respect for the principled position of African states in favour of maintaining global and regional stability and security, peaceful
settlement of conflicts, and establishing a more just model of international
relations.

We support your aspiration to pursue
independent, sovereign and peaceful policies. We welcome the balanced approach
of our African friends towards the Ukrainian crisis.

Friends, we appreciate your interest
in seeking ways to resolve the conflict. We immediately accepted your proposal
to hold talks regarding the situation around Ukraine.

I know that you have specific ideas
and proposals in this context. I have discussed this issue with the President
of the South African Republic a number of times. I am thankful to him for raising the issue.

Let me stress once again that we are
open to constructive dialogue with everyone who wants peace to be achieved based
on the principles of justice and consideration of the legitimate interests of the parties.

And now I would like to give the floor to the Chairperson of the African Union, President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani.

And after that we, as we just agreed
before entering the hall, will listen to the views of all members of your representative
delegation, in alphabetic order, just as we agreed.

Thank you very much.

To be
continued.

Fonte/Source: http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/71451