MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. The West tried to prevent the first ministerial meeting of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who is also the president’s special envoy for the Middle East, told TASS. and Africa.

“Certainly, as usual, but they are paying less and less attention to it,” the senior diplomat said, responding to a question about Western pressure on African officials not to participate. According to him, the leaders of African countries have realized that “this pressure is contrary to their own national interests.”

“Why give in to this pressure if, ultimately, your own national interests are harmed? And they are aware of this,” Bogdanov said.

The first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum was held on November 9-10 in the federal territory of Sirius on the Russian Black Sea coast. The event was attended by around 1,500 delegates, including more than 40 ministers from African countries.