Lavrov, Dlamini-Zuma to discuss situation in African hotspots

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold talks in Moscow with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Africa’s hotspots and Russia’s assistance to the continent, Itar Tass news agency reported.

Russia’s foreign ministry said during the talks, the two sides "will exchange views on a broad range of issues on cooperation in the format of Russia-African Union and also topical international and regional issues of mutual interest."

Lavrov and Dlamini-Zuma, who has arrived in Russia for a working visit, will particularly discuss the situation in Mali and Congo, Somalia and South Sudan. 

The talks will focus on the fight against international terrorism and transborder crime.

"The important issues are the possible areas of Russia’s further assistance to Africa, providing support in resolving conflicts, including in forming a peacekeeping potential of the states on the continent," the ministry stressed.

In September 2014, Lavrov and Dlamini-Zuma signed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a memorandum of mutual understanding between Russia’s foreign ministry and the African Union Commission on holding political consultations.

Source: MENA