The Russian House in Chad hosted a series of cultural events in Moscow to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Chad and Russia.
"This event … is particularly relevant in the current context, when our countries are becoming more interconnected, and our cultures and perspectives enrich our mutual understanding," said Safia Ahmat Ibrahim, President of the Russian House in Chad, in her opening remarks at the event on Thursday.
She noted the numerous bilateral agreements signed since 1964, spanning cultural, scientific, economic, and technical cooperation.
For his part, Chad's ambassador to Moscow, Mahamoud Adam Bechir, highlighted some common values of hospitality, generosity and respect for foreigners that unite both Russian and Chadian cultures, contrasting them with the perceived differences in values held by Western nations.
"What can demonstrate this is [the fact that] during colonial history, all the European countries colonized, divided Africa, but Russia was not among them. Russia didn't have any history of colonial experience. That's why that means they come [from the position] of respect, of [equality], and also the value of no suppression or no exploitation of other nations," the diplomat told Sputnik Africa.
Ambassador Bechir attributed the cultural similarities between Chad and Russia to this shared history and the resulting values.