Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia Mamadou Tangara, Moscow, January 30, 2024

Mr Minister,

Colleagues,

I am delighted to welcome you to Moscow.

Our countries have traditionally enjoyed friendly relations based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and respect.

We are actively developing our bilateral political dialogue. President of The Gambia Adama Barrow attended the 1st Russia–Africa Summit in Sochi in October 2019. In July 2023, you represented the Gambia at the second summit in St Petersburg.

We highly value the positive interaction between our foreign ministries. Our interparliamentary contacts are on the rise. In addition to this productive political dialogue, it is important to enhance our trade and economic links. We are ready to do this and to expand our cooperation in humanitarian affairs and education as well.

I hope that during our talks today, we will be able to identify specific objectives in all of these areas.