Sisi hails Russia-Africa cooperation on 2nd day of forum

CAIRO – 24 October 2019: President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday hailed the level of cooperation between Russia and African nations since the middle of the last century, as Russia has shown solidarity with African states in their struggle against colonialism.

On the second day of the Russia-Africa Forum held on Sochi, Russia, in the presence of Sisi and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Sisi said that Russia has supported the liberation movements across Africa financially, logistically and morally.

It has been proven over the years that the African and Russian peoples are linked by many pillars of cooperation, Sisi said, according to local media.

President Sisi, during his speech, labeled facing terrorism as a top priority for the African and international peace and security agenda. He said that the comprehensive confrontation of terrorism remains the best way to uproot and limit terrorism.

Inviting Putin

Sisi also revealed Egypt’s plans to launch the Aswan Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development from December 11-12 this year.

He invited Putin and the presidents of the African nations to take part in the forum’s first edition.

The Aswan forum is planned to be a regional and continental platform that gathers political leaders, peacemakers and development partners in Upper Egypt’s city of Aswan.

The first general session of the Russia-Africa forum kicked off on Thursday. It is co-chaired by President Sisi and his Russian counterpart, in the presence of a number of African state leaders and their representatives in Sochi.

Praising Egyptian role

Speaking at the session, Putin praised Sisi for his significant role throughout the preparatory steps of the Russia-Africa Forum, thanking also Egyptians for contributing to preparing and organizing the forum’s agenda.

Putin said that Russia and Africa share friendly relations, adding that Russia has contributed to promoting the continent's economies. He added that the summit underscored the desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields.

The Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum is held at the Sochi Olympic Park Main Media Centre and is co-chaired by Putin, and Sisi, as the chairman of the African Union.

Sisi, on the first day of the forum, met with the Russian president and invited him to visit Egypt to the ceremony of El-Dabaa nuclear power plant, which would be established by Egypt and Russia under a 2015 deal near Egypt’s Al-Alamein.

Putin said on the same day that Russia allocated $190 million to the infrastructure of Egypt's Dabaa nuclear plant.

He said that Egypt and Russia cooperate in fighting against terrorism. The Russian president also referred to the trade cooperation between the two countries, the construction of the Russian Industrial Zone in Egypt, and the establishment of the Dabaa nuclear plant.