SOCHI, June 3. /TASS/. Africa's role in the international arena is growing and Russia will develop relations with the continent's states, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday as he greeted his Senegalese counterpart and African Union Chairman Macky Sall and African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat at his Sochi residence, Bocharov Ruchei.
"Africa's political role in the international arena, in general, is growing. We believe that Africa as a whole and its individual states, with which we traditionally have very good, without any exaggeration, friendly relations, have great prospects, and on this basis we intend to further develop our relations with Africa as a whole and with its individual states," the Russian leader said.
"We are at a new stage of development and attach great importance to our relations with African countries," Putin noted. According to him, following the vector of development of relations between Russia and Africa gave positive results. In particular, as the Russian president pointed out, the trade turnover is growing. "In the first months of this year it grew by 34%. We are striving to develop humanitarian ties with African countries and we will do everything that depends on us to make this process gain momentum," he specified, adding that Russia has always taken a great interest in African culture.
Putin also pointed out that Russia celebrates important for the African continent events. He mentioned the Africa Day that took place recently and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Senegal. "Soon, in the next few days, you will also celebrate the creation of the African Union," he said, "In this connection, I would like to recall that our country has always been on Africa's side, has always supported Africa in its fight against colonialism." The Russian president also recalled that the 2019 Russia-Africa summit was held precisely in Sochi.