NAIROBI, February 27. /TASS/. The agreement between Russia and Guinea-Bissau signed during a state visit by the African republic’s president Umaro Cissoko Embalo to Russia, is aimed at strengthening cooperation in the area of exploration and subsoil use. The agreement includes exploration of hydrocarbon, bauxite, phosphate deposits, Minister of Natural Resources of Guinea-Bissau Malam Sambu said.
"The agreement will allow carrying out exploration of hydrocarbons, <…> bauxites, and phosphates; it also stipulates cooperation in the area of education and fishing," the Portuguese Lusa news agency quoted him as saying.
The parties also agreed on holding consultations "on issues of economic, trade and investment collaboration." Russia’s Rusal confirmed interest in construction of a railroad in Guinea-Bissau connecting several regions of the country, as well as a deep-water port in the city of Buba in the republic’s south, the agency added.
Embalo paid visit to Russia on February 26. During the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he called Moscow a reliable partner. The subjects of the talks included development of cooperation between the two countries and discussion of pressing issues on the international and regional agenda.
In the 1960s, the USSR supported the national liberation movement in the country, and after the republic gained independence in 1973, it was one of the first to establish diplomatic relations with the African country.