In an interview with Vesti news service, President of Madagascar Michael Randrianirina said his state visit to Moscow is intended to contribute to the broadening of Madagascar’s foreign policy directions.
“We have come to Russia to broaden our international horizons. Our current policy is such that we would like to open ourselves up to different countries, including towards Russia,” he said.
Rajoelina arrived Moscow on February on the invitation of the Russian authorities to strengthen bilateral partnership. He held talks with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
While addressing the press, Rajoelina described the meeting with President Putin as fruitful as the two parties discussed partnership in the fields of healthcare, education, infrastructure and energy.
According to him, different areas were also discussed at the meeting, including healthcare, education, infrastructure, energy, construction of a hydroelectric power station, and so on. “We would very much like all these to be implemented and for our cooperation to continue,” the leader of Madagascar said.
He added that Madagascar is “in a deep crisis” and needs large-scale international support, including from Russia.
In addition, Rajoelina stressed that Madagascar is considering the possibility of joining BRICS in future.
Earlier in February, Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation Andrey Belousov held talks with Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Madagascar Maminirina Ely Razafitombo, and the parties discussed future directions of defence cooperation between the two countries.
As part of the talks, Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Oksana Lut and her Malagasy counterpart José Nirina Rasatarimananа discussed the possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding between their ministries and areas of partnership. (GSF)
