Official website of the President of Russia

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The President’s message of congratulations reads, in particular:

“For the international community, this important date symbolises African countries’ desire to seek unity in the interest of ensuring independent development, peace and prosperity on the continent.

The African countries are playing an increasingly important role on the international stage. Your countries are working actively in the United Nations and in other multilateral forums to resolve the key problems facing the world today and to help develop a fair and multi-polar world order.

We welcome Africans’ determination to turn their continent into a place of security, stability and sustainable development. I note in this respect the collective security initiatives being developed by individual African countries and by the African Union as a whole. We also support this influential organisation’s work to continue implementing the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).

We consistently support increasing the effectiveness of the assistance the international community provides to Africa. Russia will continue to play an active part in coordinated efforts to provide comprehensive support to the African continent. These efforts were given new impetus at the G8 summit in St Petersburg.

Russia’s cooperation with Africa has taken on a new dynamic in recent times. The level and intensity of contacts is increasing. We are carrying out ongoing work to expand and deepen our mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and the economy, science and technology, humanitarian and other areas. I am sure that the Russian-African partnership, which has stood the test of time, will continue to grow and develop. All the necessary conditions exist for us to achieve this goal”.