President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President,
I am very happy to see you again, and first of all, I would like to emphasise that Guinea is our long-time and reliable friend in Africa.
We appreciate the support for Russian initiatives at multilateral institutions, and we work well together [with Guinea] in the international arena.
Last year, we marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Let me remind you that the Soviet Union was one of the first countries to recognise the young Republic of Guinea – literally two days after your country declared its independence.
The Soviet Union helped to create a powerful bauxite mining complex in Guinea, renovate railways, and build a road network, a university in the capital, an airport, and a number of other facilities.
At the present stage, too, our countries enjoy a close partnership. Bilateral cooperation noticeably intensified after your official visit to Russia in September 2017, Mr President.
I am satisfied to note that trade is growing: in 2018, it grew by more than seven times, and in January–July of this year, it grew by another 2.5 times. And we can only be happy about this trend. It is necessary to make this consistent with our capabilities in absolute figures.
President of the Republic of Guinea Alpha Condé (retranslated): Thank you very much, Mr President. I am very pleased to meet with you – this is the second time today. As I said to Sergei Lavrov, you are always a friendly country to us, whatever our political flags and banners may be. Since the times of the Soviet Union, you have been alongside us, protecting us.
However, I would like, if possible, to spend most of our meeting in a one-on-one format, because I have things to say that are not worth discussing with so many people.
Vladimir Putin: My pleasure.
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