The Federation Council Speaker discussed the future of interparliamentary cooperation with President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko met with President of the Central African Republic (CAR) Faustin-Archange Touadera during his official visit to Russia. Their conversation focused on bilateral ties and interparliamentary cooperation.
The Federation Council Speaker recalled that the CAR President had visited Russia many times and attended the Russia-Arica summits in Sochi and St Petersburg. “We put a high value on your visit, which is clear evidence of the high level of our friendly relations. Your upcoming meeting with President Vladimir Putin will be a signal event that will boost our relations to a fundamentally new level,” she stated.
Valentina Matvienko pointed out that the members of parliament would do their best to ensure the implementation of agreements reached at the highest level and during the visit.
“Our relations with the Central African Republic are developing smoothly in the spirit of mutual respect and constructive partnership. This year, we will mark 65 years of our diplomatic relations. Our parliament plans to contribute to these celebrations,” the Federation Council Speaker added.
She also said that the visit by the CAR President would help strengthen multifaceted cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
Faustin-Archange Touadera noted that his meeting in Moscow had reaffirmed the CAR and Russia’s commitment to maintaining the current high level of bilateral relations. “We pledge to promote our cooperation at all levels,” the CAR President said. He also mentioned the importance of strengthening ties with Russian regions.
The discussion focused on economic and investment cooperation, as well as promising cooperation spheres such as energy, agriculture, and the supply of Russian industrial equipment, vehicles and agricultural machinery. The sides also spoke about promoting cooperation in education.
Valentina Matvienko pointed out the active involvement of CAR representatives in events held in Russia. In particular, the wife of the CAR President, Brigitte Touadera, addressed the 4th Eurasian Women’s Forum in St Petersburg, where she received the Public Recognition Award. She added that the President of the National Assembly of the Central African Republic was among the monitors of the presidential election in Russia in March 2024.
The Federation Council Speaker expressed gratitude to the President of the Central African Republic for supporting the development of interparliamentary cooperation. “The upper chamber of the Russian parliament has a group for cooperation with African parliaments, which is headed by Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin. The senators in that group are ready to develop closer direct ties with members of the CAR parliament, including via videoconference.”
Valentina Matvienko noted that members of parliament could do a great deal to promote bilateral relations, in particular, strengthen their legal framework, and to tighten cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
“The Federation Council represents the regions and so its attention is focused on the development of interregional ties with our foreign partners. This cooperation has great potential,” the Speaker said.
The Federation Council Speaker pointed out that Russia had maintained solidarity with African nations since they gained independence and sovereignty. “We have always provided solid support to the development of African countries. Modern politicians should work hard to extend our friendship, which took many years to develop, over to our young people.”
The meeting was attended by Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management Alexander Dvoinykh, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Defence and Security Vladimir Chizhov, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy Alexander Trembitsky, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Elena Pisareva, and member of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs Alexander Voloshin.