Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s working visit to the Republic of Guinea

On June 3, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was in Conakry on a working visit during which he was received by Interim President of Guinea Mamady Doumbouya and held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Guineans Abroad of the Republic of Guinea Morissanda Kouyaté.

During the in-depth conversations, the entire complex of issues related to further promotion of traditionally friendly bilateral relations was discussed. In addition, Moscow and Conkary’s intention was reaffirmed to strengthen trustful political dialogue and expand foreign political coordination on the topical problems on the global and regional agenda at the UN and other multilateral platforms.

Special focus was placed on the implementation of promising joint projects in the areas of geological exploration and development of mineral deposits, as well as healthcare while discussing the tasks of building up mutually beneficial trade, economic, investment and humanitarian ties with an emphasis on the activities of Russian companies interested in the Guinean market.

There was a trustful discussion of the international and African problems of mutual interest which reaffirmed Russia and Guinea’s principled position of solidarity in non-accepting the rules-based order imposed by the West, as well as neo-colonial practices in relations with sovereign states. In this context, a common approach was stated towards forming a more just polycentric world order with the supremacy of international law and UN Charter provisions, including the necessity to adapt the UN to today’s realities, and the relevance of expanding the representation of African countries in the UN Security Council.

The parties had an in-depth discussion of the developments in the Sahara-Sahel region. They stressed that efforts to settle crises and conflicts must be based on the principle of “African solutions to African problems” with relevant international assistance. The important role of regional organisations, such as the African Union and ECOWAS, was also noted. Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security Council is always ready to continue to contribute to ensuring pan-African security and stability.

The Foreign Minister invited his Guinean counterpart to the ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum scheduled to take place in Sochi in November, which will be held to review interim results and give additional boost to the implementation of the agreements reached at the second Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg in July 2023.