Russia will continue to honor commitments to supply food to Africa
The Russian foreign minister noted that some countries on the continent were critically dependent on the import of agricultural products from the Russian Federation
Moscow will continue to comply with its commitments to supply food and goods needed by African countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a reception for the heads of diplomatic missions of African states, who are accredited in the Russian Federation, on the occasion of Africa Day on Wednesday.
“We know that African countries are among the most vulnerable in terms of food security,” he said. “Some countries on the continent are critically dependent on the import of agricultural products from the Russian Federation.”
“I would like to once again firmly assure you that Russia is fulfilling and will continue to conscientiously fulfill its obligations under international contracts in terms of export deliveries of food, fertilizers, energy resources and other goods that Africa urgently needs,” Lavrov continued.
“At the same time, we call on our friends, the African Union, to demand, persistently demand that the West lift the illegal unilateral sanctions that undermine the transport and logistics infrastructure that’s necessary for world trade, which creates risks primarily for vulnerable people,” Lavrov said.
The minister also said that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres should express a principled position on this issue. “The voice of Africa must be heard,” Lavrov said. “A more principled position on this issue should also be taken by the UN Secretary General.”
