Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigerians Abroad of the Republic of Niger Yaou Sangare Bakary on the sidelines of the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, Sochi, November 9, 2024

Mr Minister, colleagues,

It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Sochi, where you will take part in the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. We appreciate the fact that you will represent your country, the friendly nation of Niger, in person.

We are pleased to highight our mutual commitment to expanding bilateral interaction which fact was re-affirmed by the fact that the Nigerien embassy, which was closed in 1995, has resumed its operation in the Russian capital. On November 6, the new Ambassador of your country, Abdou Sidikou Issa, presented his credentials to President Vladimir Putin. We are also working to return our embassy to Niamey. I am confident that this will happen in the near future. By doing so, we will restore a robust diplomatic infrastructure which will be beneficial for bilateral relations.

Today, we will discuss bilateral issues and the situation in the region. It’s important for us to hear your assessments. We will also discuss the UN and other international forums’ agenda.