In an opinion article sent to the Ethiopian Press Agency on the sidelines of the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit and the Russia-Africa Humanitarian Economic Forum to take place in St. Petersburg on July 27-28, Putin stated that, in the face of such a challenging environment, he hopes to work with his African partners to shape a non-discriminatory cooperation agenda.

The strategic areas of our interaction will be determined by the decisions of the 1st Russia-Africa Summit held in Sochi in late October 2019. The Russia-Africa Partnership Forum was established for their effective implementation, the publication entitled “Russia and Africa: Joining Efforts for Peace, Progress and a Successful Future” recalled.

The Russian president noted the establishment of bilateral intergovernmental commissions on trade, economic, scientific, and technological cooperation with many countries of the continent.

He assured that Russian companies are interested in working more actively on the continent in high technologies and geological exploration, fuel and energy complex, nuclear energy, chemical industry, mining, transport engineering, agriculture, and fisheries.

The head of State said the current changes require searching for solutions to establish new transport and logistics chains, create a monetary and financial system, and secure mutual settlement mechanisms free from unfavorable external shocks.

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