At a meeting with Putin at the Konstantinovsky Palace in the context of the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Ahmed said that the long-standing historic ties between the two countries would continue to improve bilateral relations.

The Russian president highly values the friendly ties with Addis Ababa, which are based on mutual respect and consideration for each other’s interests, Ethiopian News Agency informed.

The two parties recalled that Ethiopia was the first country of the African continent with which Russia established diplomatic relations 125 years ago.

Putin also thanked Ahmed and his accompanying delegation for accepting the invitation to participate in the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit.

Upon his arrival in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, the Ethiopian prime minister laid flowers at the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad in honor of those who fell during World War II.

The meeting in St. Petersburg and the Russia-Africa economic and humanitarian forum will wind up on Friday, July 28, under the slogan “For Peace, Security, and Development.”

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