Putin highlights expanding cooperation with Madagascar (PHOTOS)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized the extensive scope of collaboration between Moscow and Madagascar.
During talks in the Russian capital on Thursday with Madagascar’s interim president, Michael Randrianirina, Putin noted that the two countries have many promising areas of cooperation, including agriculture, geological exploration, energy, medicine, healthcare, and education.
“Many [students from Madagascar] have already received higher education [in Russia]and are highly qualified,” the Russian president added.
President Randrianirina emphasized Madagascar’s readiness to expand collaboration. “Madagascar is pleased to cooperate in the social, healthcare, and educational sectors, as well as in energy and hydrocarbons, infrastructure development, and, of course, military matters,” he said, adding that the African country is “ready to move to the next stage.”
Putin conveyed condolences over the recent impact of two destructive cyclones, Gezani and Fytia, that struck Madagascar and caused deaths and widespread damage.
Cyclone Gezani has killed at least 59 people in Madagascar, with 15 reported missing and more than 800 injured, according to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC). The storm has affected around 424,000 people and displaced over 16,000, prompting the government to declare a state of national disaster on February 14.
In response, Russia has delivered essential humanitarian equipment to the island nation, including an MI-8 helicopter, trucks, and other supplies to support disaster relief operations. Additional deliveries of food and humanitarian aid are expected in the coming days, according to the Russian Embassy in Madagascar.
Randrianirina arrived in Moscow on Wednesday. The next day, besides the meeting with Putin, the African leader laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden, near the Kremlin.
Diplomatic relations between Russia and Madagascar were established in 1972. Russia maintains an embassy in Antananarivo, while Madagascar is represented through its embassy in Moscow.
