ISTANBUL

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held a series of high-level meetings with African counterparts during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and called for deeper cooperation and greater support for Ukraine’s peace efforts, and joint initiatives to bolster food security and regional stability.

In meetings with officials from Gambia, Tunisia, Benin, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Angola, Rwanda, and Somalia, Sybiha expressed gratitude for their principled stance in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly at UN forums.

“This is about common principles,” he said during a meeting with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara. He welcomed Banjul’s decision to appoint its ambassador in Türkiye as its non-resident ambassador to Ukraine, calling it a “sign of respect.”

Sybiha highlighted how Russia’s war against Ukraine has affected global food systems, saying it has had “serious consequences for Africa, such as food insecurity and regional instability.” He emphasized that a fair peace in Ukraine would also serve African interests.

While meeting Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti, Sybiha praised Tunisia’s vote in support of Ukraine at the UN General Assembly and reiterated the shared commitment to the UN Charter. With Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, he discussed Ukraine’s ongoing peace efforts and praised the steady dialogue developed between Kyiv and Kigali in recent years.

He underlined Ukraine’s readiness to expand cooperation in agriculture, education, and technology with several partners, including Benin, Angola, and Ivory Coast. He also voiced Ukraine’s willingness to support initiatives like Angola’s Lobito Corridor and Gambia’s agricultural self-sufficiency, offering to share Ukrainian expertise and technology.

“We are interested in mutually beneficial cooperation that promotes national self-sufficiency, particularly in education, agriculture, and food security,” he said after his meeting with Tanzania’s Mahmoud Thabit Combo.

In a notable diplomatic milestone, Sybiha also signed a protocol establishing diplomatic relations with Somalia and discussed continued support through Ukraine’s Grain from Ukraine initiative. “We are ready to continue strengthening food security,” he stated.

During his meetings, Sybiha also expressed his country’s intention to deepen institutional ties with the African Union.

He also extended invitations to his counterparts from Gambia, Benin, Ivory Coast, and others to visit Ukraine in the near future.