By our Correspondent
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Birame Diop, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, to attend the third Russia–Africa Summit scheduled for October 28–29 in Moscow.
According to a statement issued by the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja on Monday, the invitation was conveyed by Igor Ivannikov, Russia’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Nigeria, during a meeting with Diop.
“The Russian representative presented an official invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part in the third Russia–Africa Summit,” the statement said.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening existing cooperation in the interests of peace, stability and development across the ECOWAS region.
Responding to the invitation, Diop expressed appreciation, stressing that ECOWAS attaches great importance to its partnership with Russia and the tangible benefits it brings to the region and its peoples.
Earlier in September, Putin also invited Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to participate in the Russia–Africa Summit.
Putin recalled that the new format of Russia’s cooperation with African countries was established with the participation of the Egyptian leader at the first Russia–Africa Summit held in Sochi.
(GSF)