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Belarus’ FM assesses prospects of cooperation with Africa

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MOSCOW, 15 December (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia plan to develop cooperation with African countries in agriculture and food security, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik told the media following the joint meeting of the collegiums of the foreign ministries of Belarus and Russia in Moscow on 15 December, BelTA has learned.

The minister was asked about prospects of cooperation with African countries and specific joint steps to be taken for this purpose. Sergei Aleinik noted that this topic was discussed at the joint meeting of the collegiums of the foreign ministries. 

Speaking about the prospects of interaction with the continent, the minister pointed out that Africa was a dynamically developing region, with great economic, raw materials and human potential. The population of African countries exceeds 1.5 billion. According to the minister, Belarus and Russia have obvious advantages in establishing contacts with African countries, as they are not tainted by the colonial past, do not advocate neo-colonial policies, and build relations on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

At the meeting the diplomats discussed the coordination of joint actions to intensify cooperation with the African continent, planned political consultations involving a number of sectors and structures and agreed to come up with concrete economic projects in the near future.

The African continent needs to strengthen economic sovereignty, develop agriculture, ensure food security, the minister said. “According to the estimates of the African countries, today only 20% of land suitable for agriculture is used for these purposes. That means there is a lot of work to do there,” he said.

According to the minister, Belarus and Russia have something to offer to African countries in construction, education, healthcare and, of course, agriculture. “We will certainly work in all these areas and join our efforts,” Sergei Aleinik said.

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