The message reads, in part:
“It is with pleasure that I send my greetings to you at the opening of the Asia-Africa Conference marking the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. This historic summit was a major milestone in building the Non-Aligned Movement, which united more than half of the world’s countries in its ranks and became an influential platform for multilateral dialogue on key issues of the regional and global agendas.
Cooperation between Asian and African nations plays a major role in building a fair and democratic world order, strengthening global stability, fighting poverty and hunger and resolving other current socioeconomic problems. This is fully reflected in the summit’s theme – Promoting South-South Cooperation for World Peace and Prosperity.
The Russian Federation has traditionally friendly and constructive relations with its partners in Asia and Africa. Our countries have established a substantive political dialogue and we coordinate our efforts in international affairs, and maintain close contacts in trade, the economy, investment, humanitarian fields and other areas. Russia is actively involved in international aid programmes that transfer modern technology, professional knowledge and effective management methods to many developing countries.
I want to reaffirm our desire to continue developing the full range of our mutually advantageous ties with the countries of Asia and Africa for our peoples’ benefit and in the interests of strengthening peace and security on all continents.“