OREANDA-NEWS. Russia will continue its efforts to help African countries in combating coronavirus infection’s spread. This was stated by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The politician noted that the pandemic had a significant impact on many aspects of interstate relations, causing damage to the economy, which is also felt in Africa. ”Today we also paid special attention to humanitarian issues with an emphasis for obvious reasons on the problem of the spread of coronavirus… Gratitude was expressed to the Russian Federation for the help that our relevant departments have already provided to African countries,” Lavrov told reporters after negotiations with ministers of foreign affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt and South Africa.

The Minister added that applications for additional assistance continue to be received; more than 30 African countries have already sent appeals to the Russian Federation. “We consider them with the utmost attention. […] We will… facilitate making of decisions, in which African countries are interested, within the UN, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank,” Lavrov assured.