By Andualem Sisay Gessesse – The Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, who met African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki in Addis Ababa this morning, agree to expand cooperation in to multiple frontiers.
“Our talks have been very substantive…We have taken note of the needs to update the document that underlies our cooperation signed in 2014…We have put particular emphasis to trade and economic cooperation. We have also agreed to more actively promote our dialog on our cooperation in energy and promote direct contacts between our business circles. We also contemplate a joint forum of business circle from the AU and Russia,” Lavrove said.
Training law enforcement and the military is also the areas of cooperation Minister Lavrov mentioned at the press conference that followed the discussion.
Stating that Africa is working to expand its markets with actions such as, single African air transport market an continental free trade area, free movement of people and African passport, Chairperson Faki calls on the private sector of Russia to invest in Africa.
The two sides discussed on how to find predictable and sustainable funding mechanism for the eleven years old African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia (AMISOM).
The two sides have exchanged views on how Russia can provide technical skills training and education for African youth.
“We dealt about training and education, which is a priority for our continent. As the majority of population of Africa is young, they need education in technical and scientific fields. Russia is ready to work with our universities and institutions. A concrete proposal has been made by minister by Lavrov with regards to training of Africans, including the AU staff,” Chairperson Faki said.
Minister Lavrov has arrived Addis Ababa last night following the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who also met with chairperson Faki on Thursday morning.