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Russia 'Truly Strategic Partner' for Burkina Faso, Burkinabe Foreign Minister Says

© Sputnik the Burkinabe Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré
 the Burkinabe Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 29.12.2023
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On Thursday, the Russian Embassy resumed its activities in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou after a 31-year hiatus. In addition to the embassy in Ouagadougou, Moscow plans to resume its diplomatic mission in Equatorial Guinea's capital, Malabo, before the end of 2023.
Russia is "a truly strategic partner" for Burkina Faso, the Burkinabe Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré told Sputnik Africa, adding that the resumption of activities of the Russian embassy in the African country indicates the "strengthening of diplomatic relations" between the nations.
"This is a strong testimony to the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Burkina Faso and Russia, which remains a truly strategic partner for us," he said.
For him, the return of Russian diplomats will make it possible to ensure more proximity and to maintain close contacts.
"The fact that Russia decided to [re]open its diplomatic representation in Ouagadougou has several messages. The first message is the message of proximity, the need to be closer to the Burkinabe. The second message is that of making ourselves available to the Burkinabe and therefore to maintain a consistent, permanent dialogue so that we can understand each other day by day," he said.
A delegation from Russia's Synergy University meets with several senior Burkinabe officials in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 28.12.2023
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The resumption is part of the desire shared by the two heads of state to strengthen ties between Moscow and Ouagadougou, the senior official stressed.

"All these messages are necessarily supported by a spirit that is quite simple, the need to strengthen our ties of friendship and cooperation which are part of a new vision, the one shared by our Heads of State who have decided – in a framework, in a global context where there are, we will say, desires on all sides – who have decided to get closer and really leave room for the future of their peoples," Traoré added.

According to the head of diplomacy, the resumption of the activities of the embassy will make it possible to process the files more quickly. This is important because in times of transition, "everything is urgent," he noted.

"It allows us to work diligently and do it in record time," added the minister.

In addition, thanks to their presence on Burkinabe territory, the diplomats will live at the pace of the country and its citizens and will get to know them, according to him.
"We are in the process of truly entering into true and sustained relationships," he concluded.
By the end of 2023, Russia plans to resume its diplomatic mission in Equatorial Guinea, which corresponds with Russia's broader diplomatic initiative to expand its presence in African countries, as announced by President Putin at the Second Russia-Africa Summit.
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