In the opening session, Prime Minister Meles noted that Ethiopia and Russia had had a long and friendly relationship dating back to Russian medical help in support of Ethiopian troops at the battle of Adua when Italy’s colonial ambitions were defeated. This relationship, he said, had continued and indeed extended during the Soviet era, with economic, educational and security cooperation reaching a high level. Russia indeed had been an old and true friend of Ethiopia and of Africa. There had then been something of a hiatus in Russia-Africa cooperation as Russia had been engaged in a very difficult and complex transition, and Africa had also been struggling to cope with massive internal and externally induced challenges. Nevertheless, throughout this difficult period the spirit of friendship and partnership had been maintained. Now, the Prime Minister emphasized, cooperation between Africa and new and emerging partners was increasing significantly. He expressed the wish that similar arrangements might be established between Africa and the Russian Federation. Russia, he noted, was a huge and enticing market for African exports. It also produced much that Africa needed. Trade relations could be massively increased and enhanced through direct business contacts and government support. Russia has the capital and technology needed to develop Africa’s infrastructure, help exploit its natural resources and promote the industrialization of its economies. It needs and is open to major Russian investment.
The Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Cooperation with African Countries, Mr. Mikhail Margelov, noted that events like the Forum emphasized the interests of Russian and African business circles in enhancing practical links and interactions. He said the agenda of the Forum covered topical issues of trade as well as economic, scientific and technological, and investment cooperation. The focus would be on launching promising joint projects in such areas as energy, industrial production, high technology, transport and agriculture. Mr. Margelov said the bilateral trade turnover between Russia and African states had been steadily growing since Russian corporations had started to participate in African markets. These corporations were making major investments in the development of steel and mineral resource industries, computer technologies and satellite communications.
Mr. Margelov said there was already a good basis for fully developing the potential of mutually beneficial economic cooperation and turning this into a more organized and structured interaction with African countries. The productive work of the forum would be based on time-tested traditions of Russian-African friendship and partnership. He said Russian specialists had participated in the construction of numerous plants as well as energy and infrastructure facilities in Africa. He expressed his strong belief that the Forum would contribute to achieving the goal of enhanced cooperation and help establish closer contacts between the business communities of Russia and Africa as well as negotiate new commercial contacts.