CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE BY PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION H.E. MR. VLADIMIR PUTIN TO THE HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES ON THE OCCASION OF AFRICA DAY

Dear Colleagues!

Please accept my sincere congratulations on Africa Day, which symbolizes the aspiration of the Countries of your continent to freedom, peace and prosperity. This holiday assumes special significance on the eve of the 60^th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples celebrated this year.

Decades ago, when many African Peoples were just embarking on the path of sovereign development, our country provided them with active political support, extensive assistance in the social and economic sphere, and training of civilian and military personnel. Today, African Countries are Russia's significant and promising partners, who enjoy well-deserved authority on the global arena and play an active role in addressing topical international issues.

The Russia-Africa Summit held last year in Sochi turned to be the most important milestone in the development of Russian-African relations. The dialogue between our Countries has been brought to a qualitatively new level. The Russia-Africa Partnership Forum established during the Summit will undoubtedly contribute to building up mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and coordinating efforts to counter the threats and challenges of our time – including the coronavirus pandemic, which has become a serious test for our Countries and Peoples.

I whole-heartedly wish you good health, prosperity and every success in your state activities, and peace and prosperity – to all your compatriots.

VLADIMIR PUTIN

Moscow, the Kremlin

25 May 2020