Africa: Security issues saluted

2005-05-25 15:57

Moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed African countries' efforts to co-operate more closely on security issues in a message marking Africa Day on Wednesday.

"We welcome African states' efforts to form collective security structures on the regional level, particularly aimed at building their own peace-keeping capability," Putin said in a message issued by the Kremlin.

"We attach great significance to the deepening of integration processes, including further cohesion under the aegis of the African Union."

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov held a celebratory meeting with African diplomats to mark the day originally declared by the Organisation of African Unity to celebrate the creation of the post-colonial body since superseded by the African Union, Russian media said.

- AFP