Before the talks, the President of the Republic of the Congo and the Russian President took part in an official welcoming ceremony in St George’s Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, during which they introduced their respective delegations.
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Beginning of Russian-Congolese talks
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends.
We are very glad to have you in Moscow.
On our way here, the President and I recalled that the first treaty was signed back in 1981, and since then, friendly and full-fledged good relations between Russia and the Congo have been making strides.
I would like to congratulate you on the election results, and we are very pleased that after your inauguration, you chose Russia as the first foreign country to visit.
Thank you also for welcoming our delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government Novak. He reported to me about this as well
We have good prospects for developing our relations in a variety of areas.
In the economy, our relations cover geological prospecting, energy, logistics, agriculture, and several other areas. Russian companies are ready and eager to work on your country's market, primarily because the political situation in your country is stable, which is good for business. Intergovernmental commissions are operational.
I would also like to draw attention to humanitarian cooperation, primarily in terms of professional training. Eight thousand specialists have been trained for your country in Russia in previous years, and 850 young people are pursuing studies in the Russian Federation now.
See also
We continue to work on the international stage, at international venues. We are grateful for your active participation in the Russia-Africa summits. We are currently preparing for the third summit this autumn. We are counting on your personal participation and invite you to Moscow.
We are very pleased to see you. Welcome, Mr President.
President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso (retranslated): Thank you, Mr President, dear friend. Thank you for the warm and friendly welcome that we received yesterday, today, and always.
Thank you for the congratulatory message you sent on my reappointment as President. All these events took place in Brazzaville; the inauguration ceremony was likewise held there, and this state visit to the Russian Federation indeed comes immediately after the elections. The elections undoubtedly took place under proper conditions.
Naturally, we would like to see our countries at peace. We have appointed a new government, which is now assuming its duties.
As I have already mentioned, we embarked on this state visit to strengthen relations between our states. They have been developing for many decades. These are ties of solidarity and cooperation that bind us in all areas: security, defence, and the economy.
We believe that all the conditions have come together in a positive way, enabling us to develop joint projects and accelerate the implementation of the jointly elaborated programme.
We are now considering new projects that can be developed with the support of the Russian Federation in particular, while not forgetting the priority tasks that you have just mentioned: the economy and education. For us, this development programme, including agriculture, is of great importance.
Education is also important, as is the training of specialists and personnel in all areas. Training specialists in areas such as fishing is no less important for us.
After the talks that will take place here, we will be able to clarify certain aspects of our programme and adopt it for the next three years, bearing in mind that our new government is now assuming its duties, and we will be able to work together on drafting the new programme so that we have the opportunity to sign an agreement in Brazzaville in September.
An intergovernmental commission is already operating between our countries, and we now have the time to work together and improve this programme.
You mentioned that the Russia-Africa summit will take place in October. As you are aware, a conference on infectious diseases was recently held in Brazzaville. We hosted its second edition. Mobile laboratories were delivered to our country. This is extremely important for us. We note this initiative with satisfaction and are pleased that the conference was a success.
We believe that the new Russia-Africa summit, to be held in Moscow in October, will also be crowned with success.
We are in Moscow, and we are delighted to reaffirm the development of relations with the Russian Federation. I believe we have the opportunity to take new decisions so that we can accelerate our interaction.
Thank you once again for this opportunity.
Vladimir Putin: Indeed, there is much to be done, and during your visit a joint plan of action for the coming years in the economic sphere is to be signed.
I know that your programme includes a visit to the Federation Council and a trip to St Petersburg. I am confident that your visit will be successful and will contribute to the development of relations between our nations.
Thank you.
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