Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have been invited to the Central African Republic (CAR), and Bangui wants to host the Russian leader one day, CAR President Faustin Archange Touadera said.
"Look, of course we want President Putin to visit the Central African Republic one day. By the way, we have even sent invitations to him and to [Foreign] Minister [Sergey] Lavrov. They can come when it suits them, they will be welcome in the Central African Republic," Touadera said in an interview with Russian media on Friday.
Speaking about the growing cooperation between Russia and the CAR, President Touadera stressed that his country has trained more than 10,000 young servicemen with the help of Russian instructors. He also said that the Central African Republic has managed to regain control over 95% of its territory thanks to cooperation with Russia.
"We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Russian Federation, because a few years ago we were in a very difficult security situation. Up to 80% of the territory of our country was occupied," he said. "Today, thanks to our cooperation with the Russian Federation and Russian instructors, we control almost more than 95% of the territory. So there is a huge benefit in this cooperation."
Touadera also noted that his government is considering the eastern region of the country for the placement of a Russian military base, where it will be able to ensure the security of the republic's borders.
With regard to the anti-French sentiment among the population in West and Central Africa, President Touadera stressed that there was no anti-French campaign in his country and that the authorities were seeking to establish mutually beneficial cooperation with other states, including France, ensuring, however, that Bangui's interests were taken into account.
He added that today the CAR and French authorities are working to improve interaction in order to resolve existing problems and make cooperation mutually beneficial.
The head of state noted that the CAR is now working with the Russian Federation and that within the framework of this cooperation, "specific goals and objectives" are being set, on which Bangui has agreed with Moscow. At the same time, Touadera noted that cooperation with Paris is continuing.
The CAR is interested in hydroelectric and solar energy cooperation with Russia, and investors working in these areas will be able to visit the African country, Touadera noted.