Paul Biya receives Russian Ambassador

Economic Partnership, humanitarian assistance, civil protection, security and defense was part of the issues discussed on Friday by the Head of State to the Ambassador of Russia, Nikolay Ratsiborinskiy.

The cooperation between Cameroon and the Russian Federation is experiencing a remarkable increase in activity for some time. The multiplicity of areas of these relations was discussed during the meeting of the head of state that took place on Friday with the Russian Ambassador Nicolay Ratsiborinskiy.

Welcomed at the Unity Palace shortly before noon, the Russian diplomat was received in audience for an hour by President of the Republic, Paul Biya.

At the end of the hearing, Nicolay Ratsiborinskiy paused on the steps of the Unity Palace to deliver to the press the content of the discussions he had had with the head of state.

On the occasion of the recent celebration of the 43rd edition of the Festival of Unity, the Russian diplomat said he sent President Paul Biya's message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he added his own congratulations for the brilliant demonstration by the Cameroonian people of patriotism and consolidation of its unity in the circumstances of the day.

Nicolay Ratsiborinskiy said he informed the head of the Moscow State concerning feelings of solidarity of the African community in general and the regional community in particular. For Moscow, he suggested, it is evident that when the African people are taking matters into their own hands, they demonstrate their ability to solve their problems, to guide their own destiny in an effective and efficient manner.

The meeting between the head of state and the Russian diplomat continued with the examination of the state of relations and cooperation between Cameroon and the Russian Federation.

Nicolay Ratsiborinskiy recalled how Russia had expressed its solidarity by providing humanitarian assistance regarding Cameroonian civil protection services, but also support to refugees from Nigeria and the Central African Republic who have found refuge in Cameroon.

This project continues including the arrival of a boat of food in Douala, and the imminent arrival of specialists who will finalize the training center for firefighters and drivers.

Moreover, he revealed, Minister René Emmanuel Sadi will go to Moscow on Monday to discuss the prospects and cooperation programs in this area. This politically motivated visit will provide an opportunity to discuss in Moscow certain security aspects in the region and in Africa in general.

Furthermore, the Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso is currently in Saint Petersburg where he signed Thursday two cooperation agreements between Russia and Cameroon in the judiciary. It is agreed that other Russian-Cameroonian meetings will follow with the head of state.

The head of state and his guest exchanged views regarding the prospects of economic cooperation between the two countries. The industry and energy, among other areas of interest to Russian banks as investors and large Russian companies.

Naturally, problems of cooperation in the field of security and defense of Cameroon were discussed during the hearing. Referring to the framework agreement on military-technical cooperation signed between Cameroon and Russia, Nicolay Ratsiborinskiy said it has been finalized and is ready for signing, in the days that follow, the agreement on training Cameroonian military specialists at universities in Russia.

Cameroonian experts, together with their Russian partners, have completed an enormous work of selection of weapons and equipment they need, before formulating their demands in the form of draft contracts.

The Russian diplomat concluded with his belief that everything is ready, the conditions being met for the effective cooperation to start is visible in this crucial area.