During the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop met with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on September 26.
This bilateral meeting provided an opportunity for the two ministers to discuss “current issues related to the enhancement of friendly relations between Russia and Mali,” according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs received by APA.
The Malian Foreign Ministry noted that the discussions focused on key areas of their strategic partnership, emphasizing the need to elevate economic and commercial cooperation to the same level as their strong political relations. The ministers also addressed sub-regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Minister Diop confirmed his participation in the upcoming Sochi Ministerial Conference scheduled for November 2024, highlighting the intent to maintain regular consultations and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Following their meeting, the two officials signed a “joint declaration on outer space,” which aims to prevent the militarization of space.
Since the August 2020 coup that ousted Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and the subsequent transition in May 2021, Mali has reinforced its ties with Russia, diminishing its partnership with France. This shift has led to the arrival of Russian instructors in Mali to assist in the fight against terrorism while accelerating the withdrawal of French Barkhane forces from the country.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA