Russian, Togolese FMs Exchange Congratulations on 65th Diplomatic Relations Anniversary
Sergey Lavrov's message praised the friendly Russian-Togolese relations, grounded in shared views on global issues.
Robert Dussey reaffirmed Togo’s commitment to stronger ties with Russia.
https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1917928735078076904
https://x.com/Afrc_Initiative/status...48363268911309
https://afrinz.ru/fr/2025/04/la-russ...ie-et-le-togo/
"Russia remains a symbol of sovereignty for Africa." Ambassador Evdokimov takes stock of 65 years of relations between Russia and Togo
In an interview with African Initiative, the Russian ambassador to Benin and Togo, Igor Evdokimov, took stock of the 65 years of Russian-Togolese relations and discussed the prospects for opening a Russian embassy in Lomé. He also spoke of the interest shown by the Togolese in the Russian language and culture as well as the role of Russia in the establishment of a new multipolar world order in Africa.
– This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Togo. How do you evaluate these decades? What events have been decisive in the development of relations between our two countries?
– The Soviet Union was one of the first to recognize the sovereignty of the Republic of Togo, proclaimed on April 27, 1960. On May 1 of the same year, the USSR recognized the independence of Togo and diplomatic relations at the level of the embassies were established. On August 9, the Ambassador of the Soviet Union, Djabar Rassulov, presented his credentials to the first president of independent Togo, Silvanus Olympio. In the following years, the USSR contributed significantly to the formation and development of the young African state, providing it with political, economic and humanitarian support.
Relations between Moscow and Lomé have taken a particular boom in recent years. The personal participation of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé in the first Russia-Africa summit in Sochi in October 2019 contributed a lot. The first visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Togolese Republic Robert Dussey to Russia in February 2021 was also an important step in the history of bilateral relations. Then he went to St. Petersburg, where he had in-depth talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The head of Togolese diplomacy also led the country's delegation to the second Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg in July 2023 and to the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi in November 2024. As part of these two events, a comprehensive exchange of views took place on issues of Russian-Togolese cooperation in the political, commercial and economic, humanitarian and other fields.
– Is a visit by the President of Togo to Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War possible? Is the embassy considering organizing commemorative events of this date in the region?
– A transition period linked to the adoption of a new Constitution on May 6, 2024 is still ongoing in Togo. Currently, the Republic is passing to a form of parliamentary government. In the current circumstances, President Gnassingbé's participation in the celebrations in Moscow on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War seems unlikely.
Nevertheless, the embassy has prepared well to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory in Benin and Togo. In particular, in Benin, on the occasion of Victory Day, it is planned to organize a parade of the "Immortal Regiment", photo exhibitions and film screenings devoted to the immortal feat of the peoples of our country during the war.
– Russia systematically advocates the establishment of a multipolar world. In your opinion, how do Togo and Benin perceive Russia's role in this process? To what extent do local elites consider Russia as a sustainable strategic partner?
– In Cotonou and Lomé, the Russian Federation is perceived as a reliable and responsible partner that has demonstrated for decades its commitment to defending the sovereignty of African states. Russia is rightly considered a country that has firmly and consistently defended the liberation of the continent from colonial oppression. Today, Russia continues to help overcome neocolonial practices and shape a more just and multipolar world, one of the important poles of which will be the African continent.
Unlike Western countries, Russia does not set conditions, does not impose ideological models, does not interfere in electoral processes. On the contrary, we support the aspirations of African peoples for a multi-vector foreign policy and sustainable development of national economies.
I am convinced that such a solid ideological and value base will give an additional impetus to the progressive development and global strengthening of Russian-Togolese and Russian-Beninese links in all priority areas of bilateral interaction.
– How do you assess the level of interest of the Togolese authorities, business circles and intellectuals in Russia? In which commercial and industrial sectors is Togo most interested in cooperation with the Russian side?
– Lomé is actively looking for opportunities to diversify its foreign economic counterparts and, in this context, we see a growing interest on the part of the Togolese in establishing direct partnerships with Russian state-own companies and private commercial structures.
Although it is too early to talk about specific details, Russia and Togo want to implement joint projects in several strategically important sectors such as energy, infrastructure, transport and agriculture.
– Is it planned to introduce a visa exemption regime between Russia and Togo? Is this question the subject of discussions at the diplomatic level?
– The issue of relaxing the visa regime with a number of African countries is indeed under consideration. With regard to Russia and Togo, no specific agreement has yet been concluded in this area.
Nevertheless, such an initiative could be the subject of bilateral discussion in the context of strengthening political dialogue and humanitarian exchanges, given the growing interest of our fellow citizens in Africa, including in the field of tourism.
– A Russian embassy should start working in Lomé in the near future. What are the practical tasks that the new embassy will face in the context of bilateral cooperation?
– The re-establishment of the Russian diplomatic mission in Lomé will be an important step in strengthening traditionally friendly Russian-Togolese relations.
Priority tasks include maintaining regular political dialogue, broadening the legal framework for bilateral cooperation and promoting trade, economic, humanitarian and cultural links.
Particular attention will be paid to education, given that an increasing number of Togolese are looking for higher education in our country.
– Last March, a concert of Russian musicians was held in Lomé in front of a full hall. Are new cultural events of this magnitude planned? How does Togo welcome Russian cultural initiatives?
– The concert of the musicians of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow aroused a strong reaction from the public and marked the Togolese cultural life. The Togolese Minister of Communication, Media and Culture, the press officer, the management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the heads of friendly diplomatic missions, journalists and our compatriots attended this event. It is important to note that the concert was organized on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Togo.
The 400-seat room was completely filled. The concert, which included masterpieces of Russian and foreign music, received the warmest responses from the professional community and the general public. This keen interest in Russian culture testifies to the great potential of Russia's humanitarian cooperation with the countries of the African continent. In addition, such initiatives create a positive image of Russia, contribute to strengthening ties between peoples, while demonstrating the uselessness of attempts by Western countries to cancel Russian cultural events abroad.
The embassy intends to continue working on the organization of major cultural events in the Republic of Togo. In particular, we hope that the holding of concerts by musicians from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Lomé will be a good tradition, as was the case in Benin.
– What is the level of interest in learning Russian in Togo and Benin? To what extent do young people participate in cultural, educational and scientific exchanges with Russia?
-In recent years, the interest of young Beninese and Togolese in the Russian language and education has continued to grow. The Russian government annually grants Benin and Togo budget positions in the country's higher education institutions. For the current academic year, for example, 150 Beninese citizens and 86 Togolese citizens were beneficiaries of the quota, which corresponds to the record figures of the USSR era.
The opening in October 2023 of a Russian language center within the largest Beninese higher education institution, the University of Abomey-Calavi was also an important step. In September 2024, the first graduates of the course received certificates of mastery of the initial level of the Russian language. The second group of students is already studying. The issue of launching a similar center in the Republic of Togo is under consideration.
– In the context of growing external pressure from Western countries and the media, are you facing attempts to discredit Russia's position in the region? How does the embassy respond to these challenges?
– As part of a geopolitical confrontation for which we are not responsible, the West continues its line of discrediting Russia's activities in the countries of the African continent, including Benin and Togo. We regularly see attempts in the media to tarnish the reputation of our country and to present it in a negative light.
In order to counter these provocations, the embassy provides Beninese and Togolese daily with truthful information on the foreign policy activities of the Russian Federation. Active awareness-raising work is carried out through the website and social media of the foreign mission. We maintain contacts with leading public figures and regularly organize press briefings.
And it bears fruit. Despite Western manipulations, Russia continues to be perceived by the Beninese and the Togolese as a friendly state fighting for a more just world order, freed from the dictates of particular states and based on the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter in their entirety and in their interdependence.