BY SINTAYEHU TAMIRAT
Russian President Vladmir Putin says the Ethio-Russia comprehensive relation is to advance as Ethiopia joined the BRICS+ bloc.
The President made the statement while receiving Monday letter of credence from Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Cham Ugala Uriat.
In his welcoming message at a ceremony accorded to the Ethiopian ambassador at Kremlin, President Putin mentioned that Ethiopia and Russia are friendly countries with 125 years of strong diplomatic relations.
The President also recalled his meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during the second Russia-Africa Summit in July 2023 in St. Petersburg.
He underscored that the various cooperation agreements signed during the Summit between the two countries further strengthened the long-established bilateral relations to a higher level.
Ethiopia’s entry to the BRICS+ family will further cement the two friendly countries’ relations, the President underscored.
Speaking on Russia’s role in BRICS+ next year, President Putin said “Whether others like it or not, our activity in international affairs will only increase. Next year, Russia will have a number of important foreign policy functions. We will be the first to chair the expanded BRICS association.” Putin also pledged Russia will do its best to help the new members smoothly integrate into the activities of this organisation.
“We will do our best to promote the group’s role in resolving pressing issues on the global agenda, as well as to make efforts to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnerships within BRICS, and to develop cooperation in the economic, financial, and other fields,” Putin said.
Russia will enthusiastically prepare for the BRICS summit to be held in Kazan in October 2024 with the new, broader composition, where BRICS sports games will also take place, according to the president.