President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is open to meetings with African leaders and to dialogue with the African Union. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, at the forum "Ukraine - Africa: Past, Present and Future of Relations," reports UNN.
Africa today is about dynamics. It is more than 4% annual economic growth. These are colossal natural resources necessary for the global technological transition. But most importantly, it is human capital
The Foreign Minister noted that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is open to meetings with African leaders and to dialogue with the African Union.
Touching upon the theme of long-standing historical ties between Ukraine and the states of the continent, Andrii Sybiha recalled that a hundred years ago, the government of the Ukrainian Directorate, led by Chief Otaman Symon Petliura, took the first step by initiating the establishment of relations with Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia).
He also emphasized that in the second half of the 20th century, it was Ukrainian engineers, builders, and scientists who laid the industrial and energy foundations of many African countries.
Our shared heritage is captured in the concrete and metal of strategic sites: from the Aswan High Dam in Egypt to the metallurgical giant in Ajaokuta, Nigeria, and facilities in Algeria, Morocco, Angola, and Mozambique
We should add
The Minister noted that Ukraine seeks to increase trade turnover with African countries and exceed the pre-war figure of 6.7 billion dollars. In this context, an unprecedented diplomatic expansion is underway: 8 new embassies have been opened on the continent in recent years, and the number of diplomatic missions has increased to 18. There are also plans to open an embassy in Zambia and a consulate general in Cape Town.