World Order on Brink of 'Radical Transformation', Afwerki Says

The world order is on the verge of a radical transformation, there is a "historical obligation" to create a just world order on the basis of mutual respect between nations, and Russia will play its part in this process, said Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

He emphasized that nations across the globe should advocate for the allocation of the necessary resources for the transition to a new, civilized international order based on mutual respect, cooperation, and prosperity. According to Afwerki, in such a world order, justice and the rule of law will be the highest values.

"I am convinced that the Russian Federation will play its part in this mission of all mankind on the path to solidarity and cooperation among free peoples," the Eritrean leader said.

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The Russian president, for his part, stated that Moscow and Asmara are planning to sign a number of intergovernmental agreements in particular aimed at developing trade and economic relations between the two countries.

"We have a number of intergovernmental agreements on our agenda. I hope that our colleagues have worked hard and we will be able to sign them," he said.

He stated that there are "good prospects" for Russia and Eritrea to cooperate in various fields of mutual interest, noting that the countries are actively developing ties in the cultural and social spheres. He added that contacts in the political sphere are evolving as well, recalling that at the beginning of the year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Eritrea.

"We are cooperating within the UN. Our relations in the cultural sphere are developing quite well, dozens of Eritrean students have already received education in the Russian Federation, and this process continues," the president stated.

Speaking about the prospects for the development of Russian-Eritrean relations, the Russian president invited his Eritrean counterpart to the second Russia-Africa summit, scheduled to be held on July 26-29 in St. Petersburg.

"As you know, this year we are hosting the second Russia-Africa summit. Dear Mr. President, you are also invited to this event. I hope you will have such an opportunity," Putin said, addressing the Eritrean head of state.

According to information materials for the talks between the presidents, trade turnover between Russia and Eritrea in 2022 amounted to $13.5 million, of which $11.5 million accounted for wheat exports.

It was also noted that Eritrea is interested in boosting cooperation with Russia's Ural and KAMAZ automobile plants, as their products have proven themselves well in the climatic conditions of the country. In 2018, KAMAZ delivered 56 vehicles and five buses to Eritrea worth about $5 million.

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Eritrean President Afwerki arrived in Moscow to participate in talks with his Russian counterpart on Tuesday. The next day, Afwerki, accompanied by a delegation of politicians, laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. The ceremony was held with the participation of the Special Exemplary Military Band of the Guard of Honor Battalion of Russia. Upon its completion, the president examined the monument and talked to the deputy military commandant of Moscow, Sergey Zakharenkov.

Afwerki has been the leader of Eritrea, its first and so far the only president, since 1993, when the nation gained independence from Ethiopia.

In January this year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Eritrea as part of his tour of African countries. Lavrov held talks with the Eritrean president, during which they discussed various issues in the field of economy, mining, information and communication technologies, agriculture, as well as infrastructure projects.

World Order on Brink of 'Radical Transformation,' Afwerki Says at Meeting With Putin