Lavrov: Russia, Africa Seek to Reduce Share of Dollar, Euro in Mutual Trade

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia and African partners are working on a gradual reduction of the share of the US dollar and the euro in mutual trade payments, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "For sure, the current geopolitical situation requires certain adjustment of the mechanisms of our interaction: first of all, there is a question of ensuring seamless logistic and tuning the system of financial settlements to make them secure from the outer interference. In cooperation with its partners, Russia takes steps to enhance the use of national currencies and payment systems. We are working to gradually reduce the share of dollar and euro in mutual trade," Lavrov said in an article to several African media, published by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday. Russia advocates the establishment of an independent and efficient financial system that is "proof against the potential impact from the unfriendly states." Russia will continue to fulfill its obligations to supply food, fertilizers and energy to African countries, despite Western sanctions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "It is essential that all our African friends understand that Russia will continue to fulfill in good faith its obligations under international contracts with regard to exports of food, fertilizers, energy and other goods vital for Africa. Russia is taking all measures to this end," Lavrov said in an article to several African media, published by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday. Moscow is well aware of the importance of Russian supplies of socially important commodities, including food, for many countries of the world, the minister added. "I would like to emphasize that the speculations of Western and Ukrainian propaganda that Russia allegedly "exports hunger" are completely unfounded. In fact, these are yet another attempt to shift the blame to others," Lavrov said. The collective West, using the pandemic situation in the world, absorbed commodity and food flows, forcing developing countries to be dependent on its food imports, which was the starting point of the global food crisis, according to the official. Lavrov will travel to Africa on July 24-28 and is scheduled to visit Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda and the Republic of the Congo. Read more: https://sputniknews.com/20220722/lavrov-russia-africa-seek-to-reduce-share-of-dollar-euro-in-mutual-trade-1097685549.html