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MOSCOW, July 9 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia is ready to participate actively in economic cooperation with South Sudan, President Dmitry Medvedev said in his congratulatory message to that African country’s leader Salva Kiir on Saturday, July 9.
Russian business is showing serious interest in joint work with South Sudanese partners, including in the production and processing of mineral resources, in the energy sector and agriculture, the message said.
“Educational institutions of the Russian Federation, drawing on the experience of interaction with African countries in the field of education, are ready to help train personnel for South Sudan’s economy and social sector,” Medvedev said.
He expressed hope that “our partnership will be one of the important factors for strengthening stability and security in Africa”.
Russia has recognised the Republic of South Sudan that has officially proclaimed independence.
The Kremlin’s envoy for cooperation with African countries Mikhail Margelov met with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir in Juba, the capital of the newly independent state, to deliver a message from Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
“The president’s message recognises South Sudan’s independence,” Margelov told Itar-Tass by telephone from Juba, where the independence of the new state was proclaimed earlier in the day.
“It was conveyed to Kiir,” he added.
Margelov said that Moscow would develop “both political and economic” relations with South Sudan, and several Russian companies have already shown their interest in the new state in such sectors as energy, infrastructure, military-technical cooperation.
South Sudan has become the 54th independent state in Africa.