The Senator spoke during the 2nd Russian-African Public Forum.
Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachev spoke at the plenary meeting of the 2nd Russian-African Public Forum, which is being held partly by personal attendance and partly online.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the organisers and participants of the event with a welcome speech.
During his speech at the plenary meeting Konstantin Kosachev noted the importance of maintaining and further developing cooperation between Russia and African countries, in which, according to the Senator, there should be no pause, even for the objective reasons of the coronavirus pandemic. The senator also outlined the challenges that all of humanity is facing equally. “The virus does not divide countries into rich and poor, developed and not. However, it has enabled us to identify different strategies, approaches and levels of readiness to solve common problems facing humankind,” said the Federation Council Committee Chair.
In Konstantin Kosachev's opinion, Africa has every chance of becoming a leader in solving global problems if it receives assistance or at least its efforts are not impeded.
“Russia is absolutely open for cooperation with the African continent, which was vividly demonstrated last year. In fact, 2019 became the year of Africa in our country, which culminated in the Russia-Africa Summit held in Sochi on 23–24 October,” the Senator added.
The 2nd Russian-African Public Forum is being held as part of Russia's international strategy to strengthen trade, economic, social and cultural relations with African countries, as well as to build a stronger institutional foundation for Russian-African cooperation.