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Russian, African Union diplomats mark need to boost anti-terror action

During an extensive exchange of opinions between the diplomats, special attention was paid to the situation in trouble spots of the African continent

MOSCOW, November 24./TASS/. Russian president’s special representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov and African Union’s Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui marked on Thursday a need to boost joint efforts in fight against terrorism and extremism, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports, saying Shergui is in Moscow for a working visit.

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"During an extensive exchange of opinions on topical international and regional issues, special attention was paid to the situation in trouble spots of the African continent, including the settlement of conflicts in the Sahara-Sahel region, in Horn of Africa, in the region of the Great Lakes," the ministry said.

The ministry said the African Union commissioner and Bogdanov, who is also Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, "also looked into a broad range of issues of practical cooperation in the Russia-African Union format".

Within this context, a common point of view was voiced towards giving a boost to diverse cooperation, including in political, humanitarian and other spheres," the ministry said.

"Smail Shergui expressed gratitude to Russia for constructive position on the African matters at the UN Security Council," the ministry added.

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