S. African president says encouraged by engagement with Russia

Source: Xinhua| 2019-10-26 00:19:27|Editor: yan
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CAPE TOWN, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday he was encouraged by engagement with Russia, where he attended the first Russia-Africa Summit.

This engagement is based on mutual respect, with which countries engage as equals in dealing with their challenges and developmental issues, Ramaphosa said upon return from Sochi, where the Russia-Africa Summit was held on October 23-24.

The president described the summit as "successful," which started off with the business sector from various countries in Africa interacting with the Russian business sector in an exchange that "was most productive."

"The businesses that came from South Africa spanned a number of sectors of the economy, and their engagement with Russian businesses in mining and information communication technology (ICT) and oil extraction, amongst others, were quite meaningful," he said.

The summit was aimed to forge closer collaboration on regional and international issues of common interest, raise strategic dialogue between Russia and African countries to a qualitatively higher level, and contribute to peace, security and sustainable development on the African continent.

The summit was framed around three thematic pillars, namely Forging Economic Ties, Creating Joint Projects, and Collaborating in the Humanitarian and Social Sector.

Ramaphosa commended Russia for the support it provided to African countries during the struggle against colonialism and apartheid and likened the summit to a second wave of support by Russia towards the economic developmental agenda of Africa.

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