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Russia is preparing second Russia-Africa summit — upper house speaker

The first Russia-Africa summit was held in Sochi on October 23-24, 2019

Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko

© Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

MAPUTO, May 31. /TASS/. Russia at the moment is making preparations for a second Russia-Africa summit. The dates will be determined in cooperation with the African Union, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said at a meeting with the Speaker of Mozambique’s Assembly (parliament) Esperanca Bias.

A delegation of the Federation Council headed by Matviyenko is on an official visit to Mozambique from May 30 to June 1.

"We are already preparing the next summit. Its dates will be determined jointly with the African Union," Matviyenko said.

She added that Russia saw Mozambique as a "reliable and time-tested" partner in Africa.

"Russia has always provided assistance to Mozambique and it keeps doing so. We are pleased to see your success in economic and social development. We note with satisfaction the steady development of the political dialogue," Matviyenko added.

Bias thanked Matviyenko for visiting Mozambique. She described the Federation Council delegation’s visit as a sign "Russia is always with Mozambique and Mozambique is always with Russia."

"Our relationship dates back to the period when Mozambique was fighting for independence. Even after we gained independence, Russia has always been by our side. These relations are obvious in different areas," Bias stressed.

The first Russia-Africa summit was held in Sochi on October 23-24, 2019. It was co-chaired by the presidents of Russia and Egypt, Vladimir Putin and Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. The second summit is scheduled for the autumn of 2022.

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