Russian President Vladimir Putin said that development of co-operation with African countries was 'one of our priorities', speaking at a meeting with his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa, during the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Thursday.
"I am glad to have the opportunity to meet with you on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. I am confident that your participation will represent the African continent’s interest in developing relations with the Russian Federation, which is one of our priorities," Putin said.
He also pointed out that the countries had good relations in the humanitarian, economic and educational sectors.
"I was pleased to see that our trade increased several times last year, but, of course, we must still work hard in this regard in order to diversify our ties. We have very good relations in the humanitarian sphere and in education: 400 young people from your country study in Russia, and we are constantly increasing this quota. I am grateful to you for our active co-operation in the international arena as well," the Russian president added.
For his part, Mnangagwa noted Russia’s assistance to Zimbabwe during a difficult period.
"We have received support. We received food allocation from yourselves early last year. And we have received co-operation in the military and security sector. That alone, as you continue to do so, we continuously become isolated in our region. But we are determined to be ourselves. We are determined to be independent," Mnangagwa said.
"We are independent today because most of us in the leadership trained here during our war of liberation. We got our independence because we were supported by yourselves here. And you don't forget that history. And you've stood by us," he continued.
SPIEF 2024, taking place from June 5-8, includes participants from over 136 countries. Since its inception in 1997, the forum has served as a platform for international dialogue on economic matters, with the patronage and participation of the Russian Federation's president since 2005.
Developing relations with African countries is 'priority' for Russia - Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that development of co-operation with African countries was 'one of our priorities', speaking at a meeting with his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa, during the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Thursday.
"I am glad to have the opportunity to meet with you on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. I am confident that your participation will represent the African continent’s interest in developing relations with the Russian Federation, which is one of our priorities," Putin said.
He also pointed out that the countries had good relations in the humanitarian, economic and educational sectors.
"I was pleased to see that our trade increased several times last year, but, of course, we must still work hard in this regard in order to diversify our ties. We have very good relations in the humanitarian sphere and in education: 400 young people from your country study in Russia, and we are constantly increasing this quota. I am grateful to you for our active co-operation in the international arena as well," the Russian president added.
For his part, Mnangagwa noted Russia’s assistance to Zimbabwe during a difficult period.
"We have received support. We received food allocation from yourselves early last year. And we have received co-operation in the military and security sector. That alone, as you continue to do so, we continuously become isolated in our region. But we are determined to be ourselves. We are determined to be independent," Mnangagwa said.
"We are independent today because most of us in the leadership trained here during our war of liberation. We got our independence because we were supported by yourselves here. And you don't forget that history. And you've stood by us," he continued.
SPIEF 2024, taking place from June 5-8, includes participants from over 136 countries. Since its inception in 1997, the forum has served as a platform for international dialogue on economic matters, with the patronage and participation of the Russian Federation's president since 2005.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that development of co-operation with African countries was 'one of our priorities', speaking at a meeting with his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa, during the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Thursday.
"I am glad to have the opportunity to meet with you on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. I am confident that your participation will represent the African continent’s interest in developing relations with the Russian Federation, which is one of our priorities," Putin said.
He also pointed out that the countries had good relations in the humanitarian, economic and educational sectors.
"I was pleased to see that our trade increased several times last year, but, of course, we must still work hard in this regard in order to diversify our ties. We have very good relations in the humanitarian sphere and in education: 400 young people from your country study in Russia, and we are constantly increasing this quota. I am grateful to you for our active co-operation in the international arena as well," the Russian president added.
For his part, Mnangagwa noted Russia’s assistance to Zimbabwe during a difficult period.
"We have received support. We received food allocation from yourselves early last year. And we have received co-operation in the military and security sector. That alone, as you continue to do so, we continuously become isolated in our region. But we are determined to be ourselves. We are determined to be independent," Mnangagwa said.
"We are independent today because most of us in the leadership trained here during our war of liberation. We got our independence because we were supported by yourselves here. And you don't forget that history. And you've stood by us," he continued.
SPIEF 2024, taking place from June 5-8, includes participants from over 136 countries. Since its inception in 1997, the forum has served as a platform for international dialogue on economic matters, with the patronage and participation of the Russian Federation's president since 2005.