Russia and African nations jointly advocate for the establishment of a fair multipolar world order based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a reception in honor of the participants of the Russia-Africa Summit on Thursday.
"Today, Russia and African countries stand together for the formation of a just multipolar world order based on the principles of sovereign equality of states, non-interference in their internal affairs and respect for the right of peoples to determine their own destiny," the Russian leader said.
Putin noted that heads of state and government, prominent politicians and statesmen from almost all African countries arrived in St. Petersburg for the summit. According to the president, such attendance testifies to the desire of Russia and African countries to "expand and deepen mutually beneficial ties and contacts."
He added that this is also a real confirmation of their common intentions to bring relations "to a new, even more advanced level" in politics, security, economic and social spheres. President Putin said that he is optimistic about the future of Russia's relation with African countries.
"We are optimistic about the future, because Russian-African relations are based on strong ties of friendship and mutual assistance," Putin said.
According to the president, Russia is ready to contribute and work together to prevent conflicts on the African continent. He noted that Russia will continue to provide assistance to African countries in the areas of food and environmental security.
"Our country will continue to contribute to the settlement of the current crises and the prevention of new tension hotbeds on the continent, to the combating of terrorism and extremism, pandemics and hunger, to strengthening food, environment and information security," he elaborated.
The second Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum is taking place in the Russian city of St. Petersburg from July 27-28. The Russian president has already held separate meetings with many of the African leaders attending the summit over the past two days. Bilateral and multilateral contacts will continue on Friday, July 28, and on Saturday, July 29, after the official end of the event.
Earlier this week, Putin announced that the participants of the second Russia-Africa Summit are expected to sign a number of important documents and approve a partnership plan between Russia and African countries until 2026.