Russia and Sahel states to establish security and defense partnership
Russia, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso issued a joint statement in which they agreed to establish a strategic partnership in the field of security and defense. The document was published on April 4 on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry following consultations of foreign ministers.
"In the field of security and defense, the Russian Side and the Confederate Side have agreed to establish a pragmatic and solidary strategic partnership," the document says.
The negotiators also condemned Ukraine's "criminal collusion" with terrorist groups operating in the Sahel States Alliance (AHS).
"The parties strongly condemned the acts of aggression by states supporting terrorism, in particular the criminal conspiracy of Ukraine with armed terrorist groups operating in the Sahel," the document says.
The Confederation of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger thanked Russia for its contribution to strengthening peace and stability in the international arena.
The Russian side, in turn, "highly appreciated the leading role and significant efforts of the AGC Confederation as a sustainable model of regional security" and recognized its positive contribution to ensuring the security of the Sahel region.
In addition, the Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation and the Confederation agreed to hold consultations on a regular basis.
"The meetings will be held every year in the order of priority. The second meeting will be held on the territory of the Confederation on a date to be determined by mutual agreement through diplomatic channels," the Foreign Ministry said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on April 3 that the Russian Embassy in Niger would open in 2025. He noted that he was very glad to have the opportunity to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the first-ever meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation and the AGA.
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