Africa

Guinea-Bissau Leader May Conduct State Visit to Russia This Year - Foreign Minister

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - A state visit by Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo to Russia can take place this year, Guinea Bissau’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Pinto Pereira told Sputnik.
Sputnik
"We are invited for a state visit. The date is not fixed but we are trying to fix it," Pereira said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
When asked if the visit could happen this year, the diplomat said "yes."
According to Pereira, the visit in May was significant for his country and is expected to help strengthen economic ties between Guinea-Bissau and Russia.
"It was a very, very important visit. The results for us were positive on the political level especially, but also we hope that on an economic level we shall have this impact in the near future," the minister said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo to pay a state visit to Russia during his trip to Moscow for a military parade in May. Embalo attended the May 9 Victory Day parade as a guest of honor.
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Two weeks ago Embalo said he would not seek a second term despite being legally able to. Later, he opened the door slightly to a possible return, saying that "if the people" still want him he "probably won't be able to refuse."
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