Russian defense minister hosts Burkinabe premier in Moscow

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov on Tuesday held talks with Burkinabe Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela, who arrived in the capital Moscow on an official visit.

A statement by the Defense Ministry said Belousov told de Tambela that Moscow values the “friendly nature” of its ties and cooperation with the West African country.

“Russian-Burkinese relations are based on the principles of mutual respect, consideration of each other's interests, and have acquired positive dynamics in recent years,” Belousov said.

Both parties also discussed current areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Belousov said he considered their meeting to be “another step in the development of our friendly ties.”

For his part, de Tambela was quoted as saying that he is “sincerely pleased with the relations that are being built between our countries today."

The Burkinabe premier arrived in Moscow earlier in the day on a four-day visit, and to participate in the Burkina Faso Economic Days forum.