Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during talks with Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Moscow, August 20, 2019

Madam Minister,

Colleagues, friends,

We are glad to welcome you to Moscow.

Relations between our countries and nations have a very rich history with a lot of glorious pages, starting with the period of decolonisation, when Russia made a significant contribution in helping African countries, including Ghana, gain their independence. Since then, the people of Russia and Ghana have felt sincere affection and friendship towards each other. This is a very firm foundation for the development of our bilateral relations in all areas.

Today our ties in issues related to foreign policy coordination are developing well. Our trade and economic relations are regulated by an intergovernmental commission, which convened for the third time this May. Contacts between parliamentarians as well as our cultural and educational ties have also become more intense.

I am very glad to have this chance to consider ways of further developing our cooperation in all these areas with you today.

Once again, welcome.