AUC Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich have discussed areas of cooperation

Moscow 29 April 2013 – The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma was received on 29 April 2013 by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, as part of her official visit to Russia.

During the working session between the AUC Chairperson and the Deputy Prime Minister, the two personalities agreed on the need to establish continuous dialogue in order to explore the different opportunities that can mutually benefit both parties. In this respect, trade and investments, training and capacity building, mining, energy, transport and telecommunications were identified as possible areas of cooperation.

Earlier, Dr. Dlamini Zuma had met with the Deputy Chairman of the Federal Council, Senator Ilias Umakhanov, in the presence of select members of parliament. They both expressed the wish to see Africa - Russia relationship evolve to a higher level. This, Dr. Dlamini Zuma said, can only be possible “through regular consultations by both parties and open dialogue to maintain the momentum of the bilateral relations between the African Union and the Russian side”.

The Senator introduced the newly appointed Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Cooperation with African countries, Mr. Mikhail Margelov. He said the appointment shows the importance the Russian President, Vladimir Putin is giving to the relations between his country and Africa. Senator Umakhanov, reiterated his country’s commitment to support the development agenda of Africa, through the African Union. “We truly believe in a strong African Union”, he underscored.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma appreciated the enthusiasm and friendship of the Russian officials in starting this new engagement. She said the partnership comes at an opportune time in the history of the AU as this year marks the organization’s 50th Anniversary. “Russian Federation should play an important role as we look at the next 50 years,” she further stated, before extending to them an invitation to attend the celebrations on 25 May 2013, under the theme: “Pan Africanism and African Renaissance”.