Putin Talks Business And Terrorism With New Ambassadors

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, November 26, accepted credentials from 15 new ambassadors of foreign countries, including four Africans namely Mike Nicholas Sango (Republic of Zimbabwe), Maheshwarsingh Khemloliva (Republic of Mauritius), Nadir Yusif Eltayeb Babiker (Republic of Sudan) and Valentin Nkuman Tavun Matungul (Democratic Republic of the Congo).

The ceremony was held in Alexander’s Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace located in central Moscow. As a standing administrative rule, once the credentials are received by the Russian head of state, the newly arriving foreign ambassadors formally assumed office.

While congratulating them on the start of their important and honourable diplomatic mission in Russia, Putin informed them also of the diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching mutual understanding and promoting cooperation which are important in the current complicated international situation.

More than 100,000 terrorist acts have been committed in the world over the past decade, their victims being people of various nationalities and religions. More than 32,000 people from 67 countries fell victim to extremist terrorist groups in 2014 alone.

Putin said he hoped that the terrorist act against the Russian airplane in Egypt, the tragic events in France and the atrocious mass killings in Lebanon, Nigeria and Mali would lead to an understanding of the need for the entire international community to join efforts in the fight against terrorism.

He, however, expected a truly broad international anti-terrorist coalition to be formed that would act in a coordinated fashion, as a powerful force and would, in particular, support the actions of the Russian troops that are carrying out successful military operations against terrorist groups in Syria.

Speaking specifically on Zimbabwe, Putin said that Russia was interested in enhancing mutually advantageous political, economic and military-technical cooperation with the republic of Zimbabwe.

“We are ready to develop industrial cooperation and to invest capital and technologies in country’s extractive industry,” he pointed out to the new Zimbabwean ambassador Mike Nicholas Sango.

With regards to the republic of Mauritius, Putin stresses that Russia sees a good potential for developing friendly relations, particularly in the sphere of tourism, fishery and marine and air transport.

Relations between Russia and the Sudan are developing in a constructive vein. “We intend to further assist in joint efforts to normalise the situation in Darfur, based on respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Sudan,” Putin told the Sudanese ambassador.

Putin expressed optimism about peace efforts in Congo. “We are in favour of developing ties with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Together with the international community we will continue assisting the people and leadership of the Congo in their efforts to reach internal peace and national accord and to strengthen their statehood,” he said in his speech.