Russia, Eritrea to continue developing economic, humanitarian cooperation, Moscow says

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has met with Eritrean Charge d'affaires Naizghi Hagos in Moscow and discussed the expansion of mutually beneficial trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"During the talks, Moscow and Asmara confirmed their continued interest in expanding mutually beneficial trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation.

"[The sides] confirmed their focus on deepening political dialogue and close coordination of approaches in the United Nations and other multilateral platforms on the international and African agenda of mutual interest," the statement read.

Last July, Eritrea expressed interest in purchasing a broad range of weapons from Russia after the UN lifted sanctions on the African country.

The United Nations had sanctions imposed on Eritrea from 2009 to 2018 over its conflict with Djibouti, including an arms embargo.

After their lifting, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree unlocking full military-technical cooperation with the country.