Conversation with Interim President of the Republic of Mali Assimi Goita

Conversation with Interim President of the Republic of Mali Assimi Goita

On the sidelines of the Russia–Africa Summit, President of Russia Vladimir Putin met with Interim President of the Republic of Mali Assimi Goita in the Kremlin. Taking part in the meeting on the Russian side were Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office – Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Mali Igor Gromyko, Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Energy, Russian Co-Chair of the Russia-Mali Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation Sergei Tsivilev, Head of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare Anna Popova, Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko, Deputy Defence Minister Vasily Osmakov, Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces – Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov, Deputy Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Andrei Averyanov, Director General of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Alexei Likhachev, Chair of the Business Council for Cooperation with Sahel Countries, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OKTO Group Alexei Tolokonnikov, and PSB Bank CEO Pyotr Fradkov. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, we are very pleased to see you. We appreciate the fact that, despite the difficult situation in the region, you have found the time to attend the third Russia–Africa Summit. In May, a fundamental intergovernmental agreement on the principles of our relations entered into force. This month, we also marked the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, which date back to October 1960. We highly appreciate your personal commitment to the comprehensive development of partnership with Russia. We maintain regular contact. Trade and economic cooperation is gaining momentum. Although trade volumes remain modest, we are confident that, with the assistance of the intergovernmental commission, which began its work last year, we will be able to achieve further progress in these areas. We also provide humanitarian assistance. Given the growing interest among young people in Mali in receiving higher education in Russia, we have increased the quota for Malian students to 300 scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year, as you know. We continue to develop cooperation in this area more broadly. The Russian language is becoming increasingly popular in Mali, and we are grateful for the attention you pay to this matter. There are currently six centres of the Russian language and culture operating in Mali, called “Russian Space”, as well as two private Russian House partner centres. Cultural and sporting ties are also expanding. We thank you for your consistent support for Russian initiatives at the United Nations and other international forums. We work closely together on international issues. Mr President, I would like to emphasise once again that you are always a welcome guest here in Russia. Interim President of the Republic of Mali Assimi Goita (retranslated): Thank you, Mr President. I would also like to introduce the members of my delegation. (Introductions.) Mr President, I would like to ask whether we might also hold talks in a restricted format following our present meeting. Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, members of the Russian and Malian delegations, I would like to begin by thanking President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for the invitation extended to me. I would also like to express my gratitude for the warm reception accorded to me upon my arrival in your country, as well as to my delegation, which accompanied me to the Russian Federation. This hospitality serves as a testament to the high level of friendship that exists and continues to develop between Mali and Russia.