MOSCOW, November 10. /TASS/. The Russian President’s Special Envoy for the Middle East and African Countries, Mikhail Bogdanov, and the Vice-President of the African Union Commission (AUC), Monique Nsanzabaganwa, expressed mutual interest in expanding economic ties, including between the African Union and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). , stated the Russian Foreign Ministry after the parties met on the sidelines of the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.

“Mutual interest was expressed in expanding economic ties, including between the African Union and the EAEU, and in implementing major energy, mining, infrastructure and other investment projects,” the ministry said.

The parties also affirm mutual readiness to strengthen the comprehensive Russian-African partnership in order to support peace, security, stability and the establishment of conditions for sustainable development. “In this context, attention was expressed to strengthen interaction in the political sphere, including issues of conflict resolution and combating the terrorist threat and other important challenges facing the continent,” the ministry noted.

The Russian side said that Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will continue to pay the most serious attention and provide necessary support to African initiatives aimed at resolving conflict situations in Africa, including assistance in strengthening the potential of African Union peacekeeping. “The willingness was also expressed to continue coordinating efforts with the African Union and its Member States on international platforms when discussing the continent’s current problems, always following the principle of “African solution for African problems,” the ministry added.

The first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum will be held on November 9 and 10 in the federal territory of Sirius.