Russia's Calls Africa Partnership Strategic Choice, Not Byproduct of West Rift: Foreign Ministry
© Фотохост-агентство саммита и форума Россия-Африка
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Russia's engagement with Africa is a deliberate strategic decision rather than a consequence of its deteriorating relations with the West, according to Tatyana Dovgalenko, director of the Africa partnership department at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Speaking in an interview with Russian media, Dovgalenko rejected the suggestion that Moscow had turned to the continent as a fallback after Western sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
"We are developing the Russia-Africa partnership together, in a way that benefits both sides. I want to stress that this decision is not based on the current circumstances, and it has nothing to do with the crisis in our relations with the West. It is an entirely objective trend, a strategic choice," she said.
Dovgalenko said Russia and Africa had once again come together around a shared goal of building a fair, democratic and multipolar world order.
She pointed to the language used by Burundi's president, whose country currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the African Union, who described Russia during the summit as "an all-weather friend."
"That is exactly right," Dovgalenko said. "We have stood by each other in good times and in bad."
The comments follow the third Russia-Africa Summit and its associated economic and humanitarian forum, held in Moscow on 28 and 29 October. The gathering brought African heads of state and business delegations to the Russian capital for talks covering trade, energy, food security and humanitarian cooperation.
She pointed to the language used by Burundi's president, whose country currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the African Union, who described Russia during the summit as "an all-weather friend."
"That is exactly right," Dovgalenko said. "We have stood by each other in good times and in bad."
The comments follow the third Russia-Africa Summit and its associated economic and humanitarian forum, held in Moscow on 28 and 29 October. The gathering brought African heads of state and business delegations to the Russian capital for talks covering trade, energy, food security and humanitarian cooperation.
