Namibia–Russia relations

Namibia–Russia relations

Namibia
Russia

Namibia–Russia relations refers to the bilateral relationship between Namibia and Russia. Namibia has an embassy in Moscow and Russia has an embassy in Windhoek. Samuel Mbambo is the Namibian representative in Moscow, while Russia is represented in Windhoek by Nicolai Gribkov.

Russian–SWAPO relations

The Soviet Union gave significant amounts of aid to the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) during the Namibian War of Independence. Many leaders of the SWAPO movement in Namibia received guerrilla training in the Soviet Union. Among these were Hifikepunye Pohamba,[1] Petrus Iilonga,[2] Erkki Nghimtina[3] and Ngarikutuke Tjiriange.[4] With the end of South Africa's unpopular apartheid rule in Namibia in 1990, the Soviet Union and its successor state Russia established diplomatic relations with the country.

Post-independence relations

Relations between Namibia and Russia were considered "excellent" in 2006 by Namibian Minister of Education Nangolo Mbumba, while Russia expressed a desire for even stronger relations, particularly in the economic field. Also in 2006, the Namibia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was officially opened during a visit by Russian Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev to Windhoek. During said visit, the Minister said Russia was interested in investing in oil, hydro-electric power and tourism.[5] In 2007, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov held discussions with Namibian Prime Minister Nahas Angula and President Hifikepunye Pohamba in regards to the possibility of developing Namibia's significant uranium deposits with an aim towards creating a nuclear power plant in the country.[6] In 2008, Trutnev returned to Namibia, this time to Swakopmund, to meet at the third annual Intergovernmental Commission. Top foreign ministry official Marco Hausiku and his deputy Lempy Lucas represented Namibia in discussions with Trutnev.[7]

Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba greets Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Windhoek on 25 June 2009.

In June 2009, Dmitry Medvedev became the first Russian head of state to visit Namibia. Medvedev was accompanied by Russian businessmen, with a view to sign deals on diamonds and energy.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Biographical information on member of 3rd National Assembly of the Republic of Namibia 1999- 2004". Archived from the original on 11 September 2003. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
  2. ↑ National Assembly profile Retrieved 22 November 2008.
  3. ↑ "Biographical information on member of 2nd National Assembly of the Republic of Namibia 1995 - 1999". Archived from the original on 30 September 2003. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
  4. ↑ National Assembly profile Retrieved 22 November 2008.
  5. ↑ Russia urges more trade with mineral-rich Namibia People's Daily, 28 July 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
  6. ↑ Russia, Namibia in nuke talks Fin24.com, 18 March 2007. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
  7. ↑ Russian minist in trade talks with Nam, The Namibian, November 28, 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  8. ↑ "Dmitry and diamonds: Russia's president signs more deals in Namibia". Russia Today. 25 June 2009. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
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