Moscow. June 23. INTERFAX-Russia considers Mali as a promising partner, counts on increasing the effectiveness of the fight against terrorist organizations in West Africa, said Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
"We highly appreciate the desire of the Malian leadership to develop comprehensive relations between our states, including in the military field. We count on your personal contribution to strengthening bilateral ties, " Gerasimov said at a meeting with the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Mali Sadio Camara on Wednesday.
Gerasimov expressed confidence that these measures will contribute to " improving the effectiveness of the fight against terrorist organizations in West Africa, whose activity on the continent is increasing every year."
"We consider the Republic of Mali as one of our promising partners on the African continent and confirm our interest in strengthening cooperation," Gerasimov said.
He noted that this is the first visit of Kamara to the Russian Federation with the rank of Defense Minister.
