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President Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed on October 23 on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan.
Those who attended the meeting on the Russian side included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk.
Below is Putin's full remarks at the beginning of the Russian-Ethiopian talks.
Mr Prime Minister, I am delighted to see you again.
Ethiopia’s accession to BRICS is a momentous decision and yet further proof of your country’s prestige on the international stage.
We will continue to assist Ethiopia’s seamless integration into the operations of our group.
Last year, we marked the 125th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, which are based on a rich history and longstanding traditions of friendship, mutual respect, and cultural and spiritual affinity between our nations.
Over the past year, we have stepped up our political dialogue and developed regular contacts between our ministries and agencies.
Our countries often hold very similar views on the majority of global and regional issues.
We appreciate Ethiopia’s support for the majority of Russian initiatives at the UN.
Russia is giving special attention to the development of ties with African countries.
We are implementing the agreements reached at the second Russia–Africa Summit in St Petersburg, and we look forward to seeing the new Foreign Minister of Ethiopia at the first ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi this November.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko is ready to visit Addis Ababa in the next few months.
Our bilateral trade is growing. It may be modest in absolute terms, but there is positive dynamics with a 65 percent growth in 2023.
If we continue in the same vein, we will achieve substantial results, considering that the current figures are far from the optimal mark.
We would like to strengthen interaction in healthcare and research.
Rospotrebnadzor is ready to donate a mobile laboratory to Ethiopia, just as we do in relations with our partners when we provide equipment and train their personnel.
We are also providing assistance to our African partners through international organisations.
We pay special attention to cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Since the 1960s, over 20,000 Ethiopians have received a higher education in Russia.
About 200 Ethiopians are currently studying in Russia. Days of Russia's Spiritual Culture were held in Addis Ababa in September.
Mr Prime Minister, our meeting today offers an opportunity to hold an in-depth discussion on these and other current issues of our cooperation.
Thank you.
