The Federation Council Speaker relayed an oral message from the President of Russia.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko held talks with President of Zambia Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
The Federation Council Speaker relayed an oral message from the President of the Russian Federation to the President of the Republic of Zambia.
The officials discussed the further development of the entire range of bilateral relations.
Valentina Matvienko pointed out that the strengthening of cooperation with African countries was among Russia’s foreign policy priorities.
“We believe that thanks to their growing political and economic weight African countries are becoming a vital component of the multipolar world order, and that they are increasing their contribution to international decision-making,” Valentina Matvienko emphasised.
“We appreciate the high level of partnership between Russia and Zambia at international venues,” the Federation Council Speaker noted. “We maintain regular political dialogue, which helps us to compare our views and to provide support to each other on matters on the international agenda.”
According to Valentina Matvienko, Zambia is a reliable and time-tested partner with which Russia is pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation.
“We set a high value on the further development of our trade, as well as our economic and investment ties in many spheres, in particular, in agriculture, mechanical engineering, geological exploration, medicine and nuclear power,” the Federation Council Speaker noted and cited the example of the joint establishment of the Zambia Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology.
The officials also talked about ties between their countries’ parliaments and the importance of updating and improving the legal framework of bilateral cooperation.
Valentina Matvienko also met with Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda.
The Federation Council Speaker and members of the Russian delegation laid flowers on the graves of Zambia’s late presidents.
The Federation Council delegation included Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachyov, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Defence and Security Viktor Bondarev, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management Sergei Mitin, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on the Budget and Financial Markets Yelena Perminova, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture and member of the Federation Council’s group for cooperation with Asian and African parliaments Igor Morozov, as well as Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy Alexei Russkikh.