Heads of African Diplomatic Missions in Moscow Visited the Kremlin as Part of a Tour Organized by RAIC and AECAS
June 11, Moscow - Ambassadors of the African countries and representatives of African diplomatic missions in Russia visited the Armoury Chamber and took a tour of Sobornaya Square in the Kremlin. The event was dedicated to Africa Day on May 25 and Russia Day on June 12 and was organized by the Russian Association for International Cooperation and the Association of Economic Cooperation with African States, with the support of the Secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.
The event was attended by more than twenty heads of African diplomatic missions, including the ambassadors of South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Djibouti, Somalia, Zambia, Sierra Leone and others.
Head of the Secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Oleg Ozerov addressed the African diplomats with a welcome speech, and noted that one year and a half since the first Russia-Africa summit has passed, meaning that we only have another 18 months to go before the second Russia-Africa Summit. He said the efforts should be doubled to prepare for this major event, which will take place in 2022.
"We have gathered at a very symbolic time when the dates of our two major national holidays come together: 25 May, Africa Day, and 12 June, Russia Day. We are also exactly halfway between the first Russia-Africa summit and the second summit, which will take place in 2022. Unfortunately, the pandemic has slowed down preparations for the second summit... Our task now is to move fast together. I am convinced that together we will win, especially as President Putin clearly outlined the goals of our cooperation during the first Russia-Africa summit. Its motto was "For peace, security and development". That is the path we will follow", Ozerov said.
The Russian diplomat said African embassies could count on the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and expressed hope for the active participation of African diplomatic missions in the AECAS activities and those of the relevant ministries to develop bilateral cooperation.
"I would like to confirm that the heads of African diplomatic missions have full support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Sergey Lavrov, Head of the Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vsevolod Tkachenko and myself will fully support all your proposals and specific projects to develop cooperation.”
“We are counting on you to support the cooperation projects that will be proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other ministries and departments and the Association for Economic Cooperation with African States," he said.
Guests of the event visited the Armoury, a museum and a treasure house where precious items from the royal treasury are kept: state regalia, ceremonial royal dress and coronation robes, weaponry, the largest collection of gold and silverware made by Russian craftsmen - including those received as gifts from foreign embassies.
The African ambassadors also toured the lavish interior of the Dormition Cathedral, the main cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin built in the 15th century and serving as the burial vault of the Russian Tsars, and saw the Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell.
