Russian Foreign Ministry expects cooperation projects between the country's regions and the African continent to be launched soon, the state's Ambassador-at-Large and head of the secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, Oleg Ozerov said.
"We hope that projects on cooperation between the Russian regions and African countries will soon start working," he noted during the Yalta International Economic Forum.
In addition, Ozerov drew attention to the fact that at the second Russia-Africa summit, which took place in late July, very important documents were adopted, including the declaration and the partnership action plan for 2023-2026.
The diplomat added that "the topic of international interregional and inter-municipal cooperation in a qualitatively different geopolitical situation is highlighted separately" in the action plan.
He also stressed that this plan has started working. Moreover, Ozerov pointed out that Crimea, for example, is already actively cooperating with African countries in the educational sphere.
"We consider it of fundamental importance that the desire of our African friends and partners to see concrete actions of our return to the continent, including the promotion of the capabilities of the Russian regions, is fulfilled," he concluded.
On October 23-24, Russian capital city Moscow is hosting the Yalta International Economic Forum, which was established in 2015 to foster integration of Crimea into Russia, to strengthen and further develop the investment and innovation potential of the republic.
In general, Russia-Africa business cooperation is on the rise these days. For instance, Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom has emerged as a key player, spearheading various nuclear power projects across the continent, including the construction of the nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso.
Another Russian company enhancing partnership with the continent is the country's automobile manufacturing major UAZ, which struck a deal with Ghana regarding the supply of its vehicles to the West African state.