A Russian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Defence, Army General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, and Lieutenant General Andrey Averyanov held talks with the President of the Republic of Mali during a working visit to Bamako. The head of the transitional government, Assimi Goïta, received the guests at the Koulouba Palace on Tuesday, African Initiative correspondent reports.

🔸The purpose of the visit was to discuss opportunities for strengthening co-operation between the two countries in the field of security.

🔸Yevkurov also met with Mali’s Minister of Defence, Sadio Camara, to discuss regional security in the Sahel, prospects for expanding co-operation between Russia and Mali, and the implementation of previously reached agreements on military-technical co-operation. Particular attention was paid to combating terrorism and Islamist extremism in light of the recent escalation in the region.

🔸The talks were also attended by Russia’s Ambassador to Mali Igor Gromyko and Burkina Faso’s Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Célestin Simporé. Following the official programme, the guests visited a defence exhibition showcasing samples of Russian military equipment.