Russian President Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with President of Guinea-Bissau, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) Oumaru Sissoku Embalo.
Throughout the formation of the Bisai state, the struggle for independence and after, during the formation of the Bisai statehood, Russia – and the Soviet Union, and Russia – and your country have always had very good, very good relations. And today the same thing is developing.
Of course, we still need to do a lot to develop trade and economic ties and humanitarian ties, although even now the situation is developing quite positively from the point of view of cooperation in the field of education.
Vladimir Putin: Dear Mr. President, good afternoon!
Next year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, but for the first time a meeting is taking place between presidents and heads of state. We are very glad to see you in Russia.
Throughout the entire period of the formation of the Bisai state, the struggle for independence and after, during the formation of the Bisai statehood, very good, very good relations have always developed between Russia – and the Soviet Union, and Russia – and your country. And today the same thing is developing.
Of course, we still need to do a lot to develop trade and economic ties and humanitarian ties, although even now the situation is developing quite positively from the point of view of cooperation in the field of education.
I know that you now head the Economic Council of West Africa [Economic Community of West African Countries]. 400 million people live in the member countries of this organization, 550 billion – the GDP of all countries. And in general, Russia has a very decent trade turnover and, most importantly, a very good rate of increase in trade turnover.
We hope that during your presidency of this organization, you will also make a significant contribution to the development of relations with your country, with the members of the organization and with the entire African continent.
As you know, in 2019 we held – very successfully – the Russia–Africa summit in Sochi. We plan to hold the same summit next year in our Northern capital, St. Petersburg, in July next year.
Mr. President, we are very glad to see you. Welcome to Russia!
Umaru Sissoku Embalo (as translated): Thank you.
I think it is very important that our relations develop and adapt. Guinea-Bissau is an unwavering partner of Russia and the Soviet Union, too, historically.
I also represent ECOWAS, so I am passing on a message from all the members of this organization.
You can see that today the situation that exists in connection with the war between two fraternal states, Russia and Ukraine, as well as in terms of grain and fertilizers, has blocked progress all over the world. This is a very important event. We think and hope that we will be able to find a way so that we can establish a dialogue between the two fraternal States.
I also think it is very important that Mr. Putin tells us what he can do to resolve this conflict. We cannot leave Russia in the situation of this crisis, and Africa's position in this context shows in reality that it is very important what Russia brings to the world.
I would also like to say that we are partners, and I would like to discuss security issues in West Africa.
Your country is present in all countries of the world, you have embassies everywhere. We would also like to discuss with each other the most important things, including the role you play in the world.