Baku, 29 September 2022 (TDI): Russia and Madagascar celebrate 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relations between both states on 29 September 2022.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia remarked on the event. Said, “Our countries have been constructive in their international interactions, sharing close positions on the processes unfolding around the world & the new geopolitical environment.”
💬 #Zakharova: On September 29, #Russia and #Madagascar mark 5️⃣0️⃣ years of diplomatic relations.
🇷🇺🇲🇬 Our countries have been constructive in their international interactions, sharing close positions on the processes unfolding around the world & the new geopolitical environment. pic.twitter.com/6lILeYAxvg
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) September 29, 2022
Russia and Madagascar Relations
Beginning on September 29, 1972, Madagascar and the Soviet Union established diplomatic ties. A Russian embassy is located in Antananarivo. Moscow is home to the embassy of Madagascar.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia is “concerned by the increased frequency of attempts on the African continent to resort to non-constitutional methods of solving internal political problems” during the 2009 Malagasy political crisis.
He continued by stating that the use of force is concerning and goes against democratic ideals. It also impacts the growing economic and social issues and reiterates Russia’s support for the African Union’s stance.
By 2020, four bilateral agreements were in preparation. These included the fields of health and drinkable water, in addition to military cooperation. Defense ties had actually been on hold since the fall of the socialist Democratic Republic of Madagascar in 1992.
The Malagasy Minister of Defense, General Richard Rakotonirina, visited Russia on January 18. The two countries of Madagascar and Russia strengthened their bilateral defense cooperation on March 25, 2022.
The new bilateral agreement includes an automatic renewal clause, sales of weaponry, and joint development of military goods. The agreement also includes training of military personnel and equipment maintenance.
Also read: Russian Foreign Minister to visit African countries
This most recent step is a follow-up to an earlier agreement on military cooperation between Madagascar and Russia that was signed on September 28, 2018, by the Minister of Defense of Madagascar, General Béni Xavier Rasolofonirina, and the deputy chief of staff of the Russian armed forces. This level of proximity has not been seen since the end of the Warsaw Pact.
