"We have our bilateral relations, and we're going to keep those intact," Sierra Leone Foreign Minister Timothy Kabba told Sputnik on the margins of the UN General Assembly regarding whether Western sanctions impact relations between Sierra Leone and Russia.
Freetown and Moscow have not had any discussions regarding direct flights between the two countries because at the moment it does not seem economically viable, Kabba said.
"No, we have not started any discussions yet," Kabba said.
Sierra Leone's Ambassador to Russia Mohamed Yongawo previously stated Freetown desires to resume direct flights with Russia, suggesting it could become an alternative destination for Russian tourists.
Kabba explained that at the moment it would not be economically viable to run direct flights between Sierra Leone and Russia considering there is a small number of travelers between the two countries. According to Kabba, people traveling between Sierra Leone and Russia must get a connecting flight in Europe.
The foreign minister also touched upon the bilateral cooperation in the geological sphere, noting that Russian geological firm RosGeo could become a reliable partner to help Sierra Leone better understand the country's mineralization once Western sanctions are lifted against the company.
Kabba added that Sierra Leone invites Russian diamond mining firm Alrosa to invest in Sierra Leone once Western sanctions are lifted against the company.
"When the sanctions are lifted, Sierra Leone has an avalanche of mining opportunities," Kabba said. "We invite Alrosa to come back and look at the opportunities in Sierra Leone."
Sierra Leona also wants Moscow to invest in agricultural projects in the West African nation, the diplomat said, arguing that Russia has the technology to increase production in the country
"Well, it's agriculture, generally it will be the grain of wheats," Kabba said regarding what projects it wants to immediately begin with Russia. "Russia has got the technology. So that's what we're looking forward for."