CONGO ENGAGES RUSSIA IN NEGOTIATIONS

Written by Michael Thervil

CONGO ENGAGES RUSSIA IN NEGOTIATIONS | VIDEO COURTESY OF THE KREMLIN

[Congo Russia negotiations] As Russia deepens its power and influence on the Africa continent, Africa appears as if it is going to be the tip of the spear in terms of technological innovation, socio-economic improvement, energy, artificial intelligence, logistics, and agriculture. While these are considered a fraction of what the furthering of the Congolese-Russian diplomatic relations will bring to not only the people of Congo, but its ripple effects are predicted to be felt through the continent of Africa. Recently, the President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso visited Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin to engage in diplomatic talks that would aid the interest of both nations.

The strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two nations according to Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso: “are bonds of solidarity and cooperation that bind us in all areas: security, defense, and the economy” as mentioned in his exchange with President Putin. Another item on their agenda that was discussed was importation of education and training from Russia into Congo. Beyond this the specifics of what the two leaders negotiated on have not been released in any detail. But what is known is that the advancement of Russia on the continent of Africa and specifically in the Congo will only continue to increase. While the Americans and the Collective West have long sought to disrupt the business and commercial deals of the Russian government; it seems as if their efforts have backfired in terms of creating an international environment where Russia would have found itself both isolated and alienated on the world stage. Again, the opposite is true.

CONGO ENGAGES RUSSIA IN NEGOTIATIONS | RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN (RIGHT) CONGOLESE PRESIDENT DENIS SASSOU NGUESSO (LEFT) | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KREMLIN

The truth lies in the blowback of the failed plans of America and the Collective West. their failure to see that while first world countries may avoid business and commercial dealings with Russia due to being sanctions, they are overshadowed by developing countries in the world that will ignore the threat of being sanctioned by engaging in business dealings and commercial activities with Russia. In other words, “Necessity is the mother of invention”; and in the world of geopolitics, alliances will be formed out of the necessity of a country protecting its sovereignty in the face of considered peril. The following is the English translation of the conversation between the Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin: Dear Mr. President! Dear friends!

We are very glad to see you in Moscow.

We were just walking along and Mr. President and I remembered that the first agreement was signed back in 1981, and since then friendly, full-fledged, good relations have been developing between Russia and Congo.

I would like to congratulate you on the election results, and we are very pleased that after your inauguration you chose Russia as the first foreign country you visit.

Thank you also for welcoming our delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government Mr. Novak. He also reported to me about this.

We have good prospects for developing our relations, and in different directions.

Regarding the economy, this includes geological exploration, energy, logistics, agriculture, and several other areas. Our companies are expressing their readiness and desire to work in your country's market primarily because you have a stable domestic political situation, which creates good business prospects. Intergovernmental commissions are working closely together.

I'd also like to draw attention to humanitarian cooperation, primarily in terms of personnel training. Eight thousand specialists have been trained for your country in Russia in previous years, and currently 850 young people are continuing their studies in the Russian Federation.

We continue to work actively on the international stage and at international venues. We are grateful for your active participation in the Russia-Africa summits. We are currently preparing for the third summit this fall. We are counting on your personal participation and invite you to Moscow.

We are very glad to see you. Welcome, Mr. President!

D. Sassou Nguesso (as translated) : Thank you, Mr. President, my dear friend. Thank you for the warm and friendly welcome you have given us yesterday, today, and always.

Thank you for your congratulations on my reappointment as President. This all took place in Brazzaville, where the inauguration ceremony also took place, and this state visit to the Russian Federation is indeed taking place immediately after the elections. The elections were undoubtedly held under appropriate conditions.

And of course, we would like to see our countries at peace. We have appointed a new government, and it is now beginning its work.

As I've already said, we embarked on this state visit to strengthen the relations between our countries. These relations have been developing for many decades. These are bonds of solidarity and cooperation that bind us in all areas: security, defense, and the economy.

We believe that all conditions have come together positively for us to be able to develop joint projects and to be able to accelerate the implementation of the jointly developed program.

We are currently exploring new projects that can be developed with the support of the Russian Federation, including without forgetting the priority tasks you just mentioned: the economy and education. This development program, including in agriculture, is of great importance to us.

Education is also important, training specialists and personnel in all fields. Training specialists in areas such as fishing, for example, is no less important for us.

Following the negotiations that will take place here, we will be able to clarify some aspects of our program and adopt it for the next three years, given that our new government is now taking office, and we will be able to work together to develop a new program so that we can sign the agreement in Brazzaville in September.

An intergovernmental commission is already in operation between our countries, and we now have time to work together and improve this program.

You mentioned the Russia-Africa summit in October. As you know, a conference on infectious diseases was recently held in Brazzaville. We received the second edition. Mobile laboratories were handed over to our country. This is extremely important for us. We are pleased with this initiative and are glad that the conference was a success.

We believe that the new Russia-Africa summit, which will take place in Moscow in October, will also be successful.

We are in Moscow, and we are pleased to reaffirm our growing relationship with the Russian Federation. I believe we have time to make new decisions to accelerate our cooperation.

Thank you again for this opportunity.

V. Putin: Indeed, there is much to do, and during your visit we plan to sign a plan of joint action for the coming years in the economic sphere.

I know your agenda includes a visit to the Federation Council and a trip to St. Petersburg. I am confident your visit will be successful and will contribute to the development of relations between our countries.

Thank you.