President Putin noted that about 35,000 Africans are currently studying in Russia, and upward of 6,000 have received scholarships from the Russian Government, quoted in an article entitled “Russia and Africa: Joining Efforts for Peace, Progress and a Successful Future,” which was published by the Ethiopian Press Agency.

Putin also stated that studies paid for higher education opportunities and inter-university links increase every day to give significant impetus. It would serve our common interests to bring humanitarian, cultural, sports, and media cooperation to a new level.

Such a large-scale international forum will gather over 20,000 participants from over 180 countries for an informal, friendly, and open dialogue, free from ideological and political barriers and racial and religious prejudices, Putin added.

pll/iff/mem/nmr