"The second meeting between the ministers of the African Union and Russia is to take place this year on your continent. I expect that the African Union will make a proposal on the date and place of its holding in the very near future," Lavrov said at the meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States.
Meanwhile, Niger is counting on Russia's support in the fight against terrorism and the expansion of arms supplies, Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangaré said.
The Alliance of the Sahel States needs means to control skies, Niger Foreign Minister said.
"Partner countries, allies, are very important to us. We must intensify our cooperation in the military field, in the technical sphere, in order to further strengthen the operational capabilities of the unified forces of the Confederation," Bakary Yaou Sangaré said.
He stressed that the AES needs weapons, personnel, and training from Russia, adding that their people are counting on Moscow’s support in the fight against terrorism.