Russia shows way-ambassador

Daily News

13/06/2017

Economic hardships and sanctions illegally imposed by the western countries have given an impetus to the diversification of Russia’s economy and development of import substitution industries.

Speaking at the National Day of Russian Federation recently, Ambassador Victor Sibilev of Russia said the forecast of Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development showed that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was expected to grow by two per cent in 2017 and reach global average increase in subsequent years with the inflation rate of four per cent.

Mr Sibilev said Russia conducted an assertive and independent foreign policy guided by its national interests and based on unconditional respect for international law.

 “As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia is fully aware of its responsibility to support peace and security in the world, both at the global and regional levels and is committed to working with all interested states to address common challenges,” he said.

Ambassador Sibilev said Russia’s consistently friendly partnership relations with African states had stood the test of time and continued to develop.

He noted that Russia was interested in developing cooperation with the African Union and other African associations including SADC.

It also values regular political consultations with their leaders and ready to broaden the cooperation in fighting international terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and piracy.

He said the Russian Federation supported the principle that African problems required African solutions.

 “African countries know better than anyone else on how to overcome difficulties on the path to peace, stability and sustainable development,” he said.

Humanitarian aid to African states from Russia would continue especially to countries that had fallen victim to conflicts, natural and man-made disasters and pandemics, he said.

He added that the start of dialogue between the African Union Commission and the Commission of the Eurasian Economic Union was a new undertaking which was extensive and ambitious.

He said they were developing a high and top level political dialogue, promoting their inter-parliamentary ties and expanding cooperation between foreign ministries.

Furthermore, he said together with Botswana they had developed several Memorandum of Understandings and agreements which facilitated and contributed to their cooperation in the fields of education, healthcare, environment protection, visa-free regime and others.

Ambassador Sibilev said that Russia engaged in training Batswana specialists in areas of law enforcement, health and education under the MoU signed by education Minister Dr Unity Dow.

For her part, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi said Botswana expressed her sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the people of Russian Federation following the recent heartbreaking incidents that occurred in Russia.

Dr Venson-Moitoi said all sadly recalled the terrorist attack that was carried out at a metro station in Moscow in April this year.

She said that most recently, Moscow experienced severe storms which caused extensive damage to property including loss of lives of fellow citizens.

She said the people of Botswana shared in their grief following these tragic incidents and wished a speedy recovery for those who sustained injuries.

She noted that the National Day of Russia marked the formal adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Russian Federation and paved way for the adoption of democratic values and principles that laid the foundation for the advancement of the modern day Russia.

Dr Venson-Moitoi commended Russia for the role she played in making the world a peaceful, stable and a secure place for everyone to live in.

Russia’s participation in the Geneva discussions under the auspices of the United Nations, demonstrated her commitment to international efforts towards the attainment of a peaceful and durable solution to the Syrian conflict.

She also acknowledged the important role that Russia continued to play in search for global solutions to the current challenges such as terrorism, human trafficking, organised crime, humanitarian crisis and other issues that afflicted the universe.

Minister Venson-Moitoi noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Botswana and Russia in 1970, the two countries had witnessed a steady growth in the expansion of bilateral cooperation, which mainly covered the critical sectors relating to health, education, mining, defence and security cooperation.

She further said Botswana appreciated the continued provision of scholarships offered to Batswana to pursue studies in Russia’s academic institutions.

 “We also wish to extend our gratitude to your government following the recent decision to increase the number of scholarship offers, which currently stand at 30 slots per annum,” she said.

Dr Vension-Moitoi further noted that Russia’s renowned mining company Arosa, had forged partnership with the Botswana Diamond Company. The partnership, she added, would no doubt complement the existing cooperation in the mining field. ENDS