On March 14, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Jean-Claude Gakosso, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Congolese Nationals Abroad of the Republic of the Congo, who is currently in Moscow on a working visit. 

Mr Lavrov and Mr Gakosso discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to bilateral political, cultural, humanitarian, trade and economic cooperation, as well as ties in other spheres. One of the projects discussed in detail was the construction of a petroleum product pipeline in the Republic of the Congo, stretching from Pointe-Noire on the Atlantic coast to Ouesso. They noted a substantial cooperation potential in energy, oil production, deliveries of Russian-made machinery and equipment, geological prospecting, agriculture and information and communications technologies.

The officials conducted a detailed exchange of opinions on topical issues on the global and African agendas. They called for increasing the UN’s role in global affairs and noted the need for consolidated efforts in the fight against international terrorism and extremism, including ISIS. The Russian side supported the efforts of the Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou-Nguesso as Chairman of the African Union High-Level ad hoc Committee on Libya. Moscow and Brazzaville also confirmed their readiness to strengthen partnership within the UN and other multilateral forums.

The Ministers noted the mutual concern of the Russian and Congolese sides in connection with the complicated situation in the Sahara-Sahel region, including terrorist attacks by the Boko Haram group, and the need to promote peace processes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Somalia.

Mr Lavrov explained in great detail Russia’s approaches towards the Syrian peace settlement and set out specific options for resolving the crisis in Ukraine. The Congolese partners responded to this with understanding.