Post date: Nov 13, 2012 3:6:12 PM
Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou-Nguessohold talks in Moscow.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA (NOVEMBER 13, 2012) (AGENCY POOL) - Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with his Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou-Nguesso on Tuesday (November 13).
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, one of the longest-serving politicians in Sub-Saharan Africa, arrived inMoscow on the invitation of the Russian president to discuss bilateral ties and general regional issues.
"It is a great pleasure for me to meet you in the capital of Russia. We know you as a great friend of our country," Putin said greeting Sassou-Nguesso in his country residence of Novo-Ogoryovo."In your government about 30 percent of graduates are from the universities of the former Soviet Unionand the Russian Federation," Putin added, referring to long ties between the two countries.
About 7,000 Congolese students have studied in the Soviet Union, and later in Russia, since 1964.
During the talks Denis Sassou-Nguesso said the delegation which accompanied him during the current visit also included graduates of some of the Russian universities.
"Since 1964 our two countries have had strong ties of friendship and cooperation, and in people's liberation. We have cooperated in all the areas, and effectively thousands of young congolese studied here, and there are members of the government in the delegation who used to study here," said Sassou-Nguesso.
Both presidents are expected to discus cooperation in the field of energy, transport and infrastructure.
During his stay in Moscow Denis Sassou-Nguesso plans to meet the Russian business community and Congolese student studying in Moscow.