Russia Day commemorations sets

Botswana Guardian

14/06/2019

Russia will launch the comprehensive Russia-Africa dialogue programme when it hosts the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the African Export-Import Bank on June 18-22 in Moscow. Speaking Tuesday during Russia Day commemoration at Avani Hotel in Gaborone, Russian Ambassador to Botswana, Victor Sibilev said that the Russia-Africa Economic Conference will form an integral part of the dialogue programme. He said that the “Russia-Africa” parliamentary conference will also be held in Moscow on July 3, 2019. The final and the key stage of the Programme will be the first “Russia-Africa” Summit in Sochion October 24, 2019, with Business Forum preceding it. It is expected that heads of states and gov­ernment of various African countries including the executive secretary of SADC Dr Stergomena Tax will grace this event at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who is also Chairperson of the African Union. The meeting will discuss the possible cooperation projects with the Russian Federation in different spheres of interest, said Sibilev. Meanwhile, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Dr Unity Dow and her delegation that included Chairman of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi Kgosi Puso Gaborone attended the June 7 Russia-Africa business session Sibilev said a host of issues around the prospects for developing Russia’s partnership with African countries and accelerating their interaction in the political, economic and humanitarian fields, were discussed in detail. Sibilev reiterated that Africa is still one of the most important partners for Russia, adding that Moscow is interested in closer foreign policy coordination with its African partners in the United Nations and other multilateral venues. “As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia supports the UN Security Council reforms to ensure the fairer representation of the developing regions of the world, particularly Africa, in this global organisation”, he said. Minister Dow, former president Festus Mogae, heads of diplomatic missions and senior government officials graced the event at Avani. Meanwhile, Ambassador of France to Botswana and Special Representative to SADC Pierre Voillery hosted a farewell lunch yesterday (Thirsday) at France House in Gaborone’s Ext. 11 surburb to mark the end of his tour of duty.