Russia wishes to play active role on African continent ? Margelov

CAIRO. January 2. KAZINFORM Russia is returning to Africa; it intends to play an active role on that continent, Special Presidential Envoy Mikhail Margelov said in Khartoum on Sunday. He is paying the first official visit to Sudan.

?African countries expect political involvement of Moscow in continental affairs. Our active policy is bound to promote economic contacts,? he told Itar-Tass by phone. Countries, in which Russia has had traditional competitive advantages, may be of interest for Moscow amidst the world financial crisis, he said. ?If Russian businessmen follow the lead of the political administration and take a closer look at the African continent, our country and Africa will benefit from that,? Margelov noted. Russia regards Sudan, the largest state in Africa, ?as not just another spot on the map but as a country that has long-standing relations with Moscow,? he said. ?We do not have primary and secondary partners. All countries that are ready to develop relations with Moscow are valuable to us. It is very important for Russia to receive information about developments inside and around Sudan from other sources than Western television programs and to form our stance right here, on the spot. Thus, various ministries and departments [of Russia] are taking coordinated efforts. Being a member of the UN Security Council, our country must not simply discuss the Sudanese dossier with other partners but also have its clear position and understand our national interests in that country and around it. This is the main essence of our visit.? Sudan, which has always been a key Islamic and Arab nation in Africa, has two biggest problems ? Darfur and relations between the north and the south, Margelov said. ?I am positive that Russia is interested in the promotion of political dialog in Sudan. Russia wants Sudan to develop and become an outpost of stability in Africa. The more predictable the Sudanese political system is, the clearer policy Sudan holds in Africa and the Islamic world, the better it will be for us,? he said. ?Russia is ready to build up its presence on the African continent. We want our voice to be heard at international debates on African affairs, primarily Darfur and a peace treaty between north and south Sudan,? he said. The former Soviet Union was giving large support to a number of African states and took active part in African affairs. Things changed in the 1990s. The six-day visit includes meetings with regional leaders, representatives of the UN mission and over 100 Russian peacekeepers. Besides, Margelov, who also heads the Federation Council International Affairs Committee, will visit Darfur and refugee camps and meet with the local administration, representatives of non-governmental organizations, the missions of the United Nations and the African Union, Kazinform refers to ITAR-TASS. On Sunday he met Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor Kuol, representatives of the Justice Ministry and heads of the UN mission. There will be also meetings with President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, the vice president, the parliament administration and representatives of diplomatic missions of UN Security Council member countries.