Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was in Burkina Faso on June 4 on what was the third leg of an African tour which has also taken him to Guinea and the Republic of Congo. During a meeting with Burkina Faso President I. Traore, Lavrov was presented with Burkina Faso’s highest state award.
“Our relations are on the rise, primarily thanks to the agreements reached at the meeting of our presidents on the sidelines of the second Russia-Africa summit,” Lavrov said at a meeting with Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso Karamoko Jean Marie Traore.
Pointing to the fact that Russia has just reopened its embassy, Lavrov said ‘'Our relations have a good history based on trust, mutual sympathy and respect. Contacts at all levels are very intensive. Undoubtedly, our negotiations will help to concertize the tasks set by our presidents and will give a new impetus to our friendly relations,” Lavrov said.
Among the issues discussed was the construction of a nuclear power plant by Russia’s Rosatom. Lavrov pointed out that the Energy Minister of Burkina Faso, Simon Pierre Boussim, will hold negotiations with the management of Rosatom at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum which begins today (June5).Lavrov also announced that the number of Russian military instructors in Burkina Faso will increase as part of the two countries’ cooperation in the security field.
Lavrov will pay a working visit to Chad on June 6.
