Embassy press officer’s reply to a media question on cooperation between Russia and African countries
Question: British media has been paying particular attention lately to various aspects of cooperation between Russia and African countries. Could you comment on this?
Answer: Indeed, the sheer amount of publications covering our ties with Africa leads to believe that we are dealing with a deliberate information campaign. The aim seems to be to denounce the Russian approach to cooperation with African states as unscrupulous and mercantile. We would like to recall that Russia’s relations with Africa are free from problems related to colonial past, so it is hardly fair for the British media to suspect colonial ambitions on our part. Russia (as previously the USSR) has always been and continues to be a strong advocate for equal and respectful cooperation with nations of the African continent, both bilaterally and in international organizations. This approach is known and appreciated both by our traditional and new partners in Africa.
It is hardly a coincidence that Western media have started this campaign ahead of the Russia-Africa summit (October 24, Sochi), where we expect to host leaders of more than 40 African states. The interest expressed by African nations for mutually beneficial relations with Russia bothers our Western colleagues in light of their historical influence on the continent.
We have taken note that Russian companies operating in Africa have also become a target of UK media attacks. The latest example in a series of publications is a piece in the Guardian of 28 August, focusing on Rosatom implementing a number of cutting-edge projects in the field of atomic energy. The nervous and misplaced reaction must be a recognition of the indisputable success of Russian nuclear energy technologies in Africa and their global relevance.
Question: How would you comment on today's article by Dominic Raab entitled “We couldn’t confront Putin if Corbyn were PM”? Answer: In the heat of the election campaign we wouldn’t want to comment on ideas of what would happen if a certain politician came to lead the government. We would just like to mention that this is another example of short-term exploitation of the fictional “Russian threat”. We realise that this is done in the run-up to the elections as well as the NATO summit in London. Yet such publications are not helpful for Russian-British relations as a whole.
The V Russian-British Business Forum is taking place in London on November 27, organized by the Russian Embassy and the Russian Trade Delegation to the United Kingdom with support by the Roscongress Foundation, the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce and a number of Russian and British companies. The event is traditionally held as part of the Eastern Seasons, a week of Russia-related business, cultural and sports events.
On 21 November 2019 the newly appointed Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the UK, Andrei Kelin, arrived in London. On 22 November, His Excellency has submitted the copy of his credentials to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and officially assumed his duties.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I had talks with my Malaysian colleague Saifuddin Abdullah in a traditionally friendly atmosphere, as befits good and long-standing partners. Our relations are based on a long tradition of trust, mutual understanding and cooperation.
On November 15, Special Presidential Representative for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin held consultations with David Quarrey, the Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser and Deputy National Security Adviser.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey as guarantors of the Astana format held the trilateral meeting and consultations with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Mr.Geir O. Pedersen in Geneva on 29 October 2019.
On 27 November 2019 the Russian Embassy in London and the Russian Community Council in the United Kingdom will hold the international conference “Compatriots-businessmen: prospects of cooperation” on the sidelines of the
5th Russian-British Business Forum. The conference will see over 80 businesspeople from the Russian community living in the United Kingdom as well as continental Europe. They will exchange experience and discuss business opportunities, development of culture and social projects related to Russia.
Question: Mr Vershinin, following the UN General Assembly session, it was stated that, in the wake of the visa scandal, several UN General Assembly committees could be transferred from New York to another country. Do you think it is possible?
Sergey Vershinin: I think this is feasible, but the decision should be taken by the General Assembly. This is not the first time the United States has violated its obligations under the UN Charter and the agreement on the location of the organisation’s central bodies in the United States. As you may be aware, this is not just a question of this year or today. We have been raising this issue for many years, specifically, since 2004, in the special UN Committee on Relations with the Host Country, because there were similar incidents then, too.
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