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By Kester Kenn Klomegah, Moscow Office of the GNA
Chief
MOSCOW, July 08, GNA – The President of
The Russian State Duma, Viacheslav Volodin, urged African leaders to use the
enormous natural resources in their countries to vigorously pursue sustainable development.
development.
That, he said, was how to escape
underdevelopment, economic dependence and neo-colonialism.
He added that Russia was ready with a
overall plan for deepening economic cooperation with Africa.
He spoke to all three days
Russian-African Interparliamentary Conference in Moscow.
He said "it is necessary to prevent the
revival of neo-colonialism, the destructive attitude towards Africa
Resources.
"To achieve this, the sovereign right of
African states to build their own future must be protected.
"Russia has always defended and defended
respect for international law on the basis of the principle of
non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign States. "
Mr. Volodin said both Russian and African
parliamentarians would study issues relating to the harmonization of legislation,
so that their trade is guided by legislative standards.
It would be fair, using the ability to
parliaments, to "facilitate the establishment of contacts between Russians and Russians"
African businessmen and exchange of information on a possible cooperation
projects".
He announced that a memorandum on
cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Commission and the African Union
would be signed soon.
This memorandum would bring Russian-African relations
trade and economic cooperation at a higher level and accelerate the growth of
bilateral exchange.
"In 2018, the volume of trade with the
African continent has increased by 17.2% compared to 2017 and
$ 20.4 billion.
"It's a good indicator but this, of
Of course, that's not enough, "he said.
Mr. Volodin said: "The Russian Federation is
interested in a mutually beneficial partnership with African States for the
benefit of the welfare of our peoples – the peoples of Russia and Africa
continent".
Director of the African Institute
The work of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Irina Abramova, has
on the role of science in the development of cooperation between Russia and
Africa.
She stressed that "without a
technological breakthrough in ecology, health and education, we are not able to
break off our relationships and get out of the stalemate and solve the problems that both
Russians and Africans are facing.
A former special representative of the president
in Africa, Professor Alexey Vasileyev, said that the level and scope of the
economic cooperation with Africa has doubled in recent years ",
Russian-African cooperation is not one of the top five. "
He called for greater cooperation in the
sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, financial and information sectors
technologies in Africa.
In recent years, the Russian authorities
have taken consistent and strategic steps to push huge investments in
lucrative sectors to strengthen bilateral relations and develop economic relations.
cooperation in several African countries.
He urged African countries to trade
choices that were in their best economic interests and asked that Russia
envisaged to remove tariff and non-tariff restrictions on economic growth.
reports.
To increase trade, Russia must
improve its manufacturing base and Africa must standardize its exports
competitive products in foreign markets.
He acknowledged, however, that Russia had
few manufactured products that can compete successfully with Western products
products in Africa.
The former Presidential Envoy stated that he was
necessary to create free trade zones.
"But before creating them, we need information.
And here I am ready to reproach the Russian side, providing little information to
Africans on their abilities, and on the other hand, blame Africa
side, because when our business comes to Africa, they should know where they
go, why and what they will get as a result. "
He said, "Interestingly, there is little
Russian traders in Africa and African exporters do not trade in Russia
for various reasons, including insufficient knowledge of the trade
procedures, rules and regulations as well as existing market conditions ".
"The task ahead, especially before
both parliaments, is to harmonize the standards of trade, contracts and civil law.
"Parliamentarians on both sides have
the task of working together on a legislative framework that would be in the
interests on both sides. This should be a matter of priority. "
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised
the role of legislators in promoting the entire Russian-African complex
cooperation and welcomed the steps taken to intensify contacts between
Russian Federal Assembly and African Parliaments.
October 24 this year, Russia-Africa
summit, announced for the first time by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 10
BRICS summit, would take place in Sochi.
GNA
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