African countries are playing an increasingly important role in addressing pressing issues on the international agenda, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
"African countries have achieved universally recognized success in the economic and social spheres and are playing an increasingly important role in addressing pressing issues on the international agenda,” Putin said in a congratulatory message to African countries on the occasion of Africa Day.
Russia attaches special importance to strengthening friendly relations with its African partners as the countries are united by the aspiration to build a just multipolar world order, the president added.