Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov held high-level talks with the defense ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the three member countries of the Confederation of Sahel States. The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation.
According to a statement released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, Belousov noted his ministry’s readiness to provide comprehensive assistance to ensure stability in the region, also quoting him as saying that Moscow supports the Confederation’s position on the “need to strengthen security, protect territories and sovereignty. Belousov emphasized that the four-party dialogue will become an important format for discussing issues of strengthening cooperation in the defense sphere.”
“Defense is currently the largest area of cooperation between our countries,” said Mali’s Defense Minister Sadio Camara, speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States.
Niger was represented by Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Salifou Mody, while Burkina Faso was represented by Minister of Defense Brig. Gen. Célestin Simporé.
