The message notes, in particular:
“Russia has always been committed to strengthening our traditionally friendly ties and mutually beneficial cooperation with the countries of Africa and their integration organisations, above all, the African Union, a representative and influential pan-African forum.
We think that the African Union’s activities objectively contribute to maintaining global stability and creating a more balanced and democratic system of international relations.
I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm that Russia will continue to play an active part in concerted international efforts to provide assistance to Africa, including through its presidency of the G8 this year. I am sure that the discussions of issues affecting Africa at the upcoming G8 summit in St Petersburg will give substantial new impetus to the joint search for solutions to the serious challenges facing Africa and the developing countries in general today”.