05:19Russia: For our country, African continent 'has never been the subject of mercantile interest', unlike US and Europe - Volodin
Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin pointed out that Russia has never seen African countries as a 'subject of mercantilist interest', while speaking at a plenary session of the second Russia-Africa International Parliamentary Conference in Moscow on Monday.
"For our country, the African continent has never been the subject of mercantilist interest and exploitation of labour and raw materials, which is not the case for the US and European states," Duma head said.
He also added that Washington and Brussels 'are seeking to take control of Russia and African natural resources', thereby continuing their 'colonial policy'.
For his part, the President of the National People's Assembly of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Ciprianu Kassama, said that African countries are in solidarity with Russia and are on its side because "both President Putin and the Russian people, no matter what, continue the policy of supporting other countries."
Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament, emphasised that 'Russia and Africa must play a counterbalancing act in maintaining the multipolarity equilibrium of world peace' in the face of the domination of a 'hegemonic power and its allies'.
The second Russia-Africa International Parliamentary Conference takes place in Moscow on March 19-20 under the guidance of the State Duma. Delegations from 40 African countries are taking part, including more than 200 parliamentarians of various ranks. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to address the conference on March 20.
The conference is a preparatory event in the run-up to the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg on July 27-28.
05:19Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin pointed out that Russia has never seen African countries as a 'subject of mercantilist interest', while speaking at a plenary session of the second Russia-Africa International Parliamentary Conference in Moscow on Monday.
"For our country, the African continent has never been the subject of mercantilist interest and exploitation of labour and raw materials, which is not the case for the US and European states," Duma head said.
He also added that Washington and Brussels 'are seeking to take control of Russia and African natural resources', thereby continuing their 'colonial policy'.
For his part, the President of the National People's Assembly of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Ciprianu Kassama, said that African countries are in solidarity with Russia and are on its side because "both President Putin and the Russian people, no matter what, continue the policy of supporting other countries."
Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament, emphasised that 'Russia and Africa must play a counterbalancing act in maintaining the multipolarity equilibrium of world peace' in the face of the domination of a 'hegemonic power and its allies'.
The second Russia-Africa International Parliamentary Conference takes place in Moscow on March 19-20 under the guidance of the State Duma. Delegations from 40 African countries are taking part, including more than 200 parliamentarians of various ranks. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to address the conference on March 20.
The conference is a preparatory event in the run-up to the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg on July 27-28.