Addis Ababa, May 25, 2023 (FBC) – President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, sent a congratulatory message to heads of state and government of African Countries on the 60th Anniversary of Africa Day.
Conveying his congratulatory message, the Russian President said that Africa Day is a holiday that has become a symbol of the victory of the peoples of the African continent over colonialism, a victory that embodies the aspirations for freedom, peace, and prosperity.
“For decades, this representative international forum played an important role in fostering multilateral dialogue and cooperation. Today, its good traditions are upheld by the African Union, which provides a platform for active collaboration of all states of the continent. Through their joint efforts, the African states have been able to create mechanisms for collective response to local crises situations and set up regional integration processes of various formats. All of this, undeniably, contributes to the socio-economic development of Africa and its growing role in global affairs”, Putin said.
The president underscored that his country has always attached particular importance to strengthening its friendly relations with African partners. “The first-ever Russia–Africa Summit held in 2019 further expanded our ties in many areas.”
While greeting Africans on the anniversary of the Pan-Africanism Day, Putin said he is confident that “the second Russia –Africa Summit, to be held in St. Petersburg in July, will help identify new objectives for expanding constructive cooperation with African partners in the political, trade and economic, scientific and technical, humanitarian, and other spheres.”
“I will be happy to welcome the African leaders in St. Petersburg. I sincerely wish you all good health and every success in fulfilling your state duties, as well as peace and wellbeing to your compatriots”, Putin concludes his message.
The year 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Pan-Africanism organization, Organisation of African Union (OAU), the current African Union, which signifies the establishment of the unity of the continent.