SIRIUS /Federal Territory/, November 10. /TASS/. Russia is set to provide all possible assistance to African countries across the board, including fighting against terrorism and resolving the food crisis, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an address to participants in the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia — Africa Partnership Forum. The message was read out by Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov.

"I would like to confirm that our country will continue to provide all possible assistance to African friends in various spheres — in ensuring sustainable development, combating terrorism and extremism, countering epidemic diseases, solving the food problem, and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters," Putin said.

According to the Russian leader, the global prestige of African countries has been growing. "By pursuing a constructive, peace-loving foreign policy, they are playing an increasingly important role in addressing the most pressing issues on the international agenda," Putin said.

Meanwhile, cooperation between Russia and Africa is becoming increasingly rich and multifaceted, the president noted.

The First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum is taking place on November 9-10 at the Sirius federal territory. The event has brought together about 1,500 delegates, including more than 40 ministers from the African continent.