Zelensky plans to appoint Ukraine's special envoy for Africa

MOSCOW. June 21 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans to broaden relations with African countries and to appoint Ukraine's special envoy for Africa.

"It was during my term that the first strategy for the development of Ukraine's relations with African states was approved. The special representative for African affairs will also start working in the near future," the Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying on Monday in his speech by video link at a meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union.

Zelensky said that, pursuant to his instruction, the Ukrainian foreign minister's first regional tour to Sub-Saharan Africa countries is being prepared. The president said that he is also initiating Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada members' visits to African countries.

"I invite you to visit our country now to renew our bilateral ties. And I propose starting to prepare a 'Ukraine-Africa' large political and economic conference," he said.

"In many countries of the African Union, Ukraine is well known economically and in the education sphere. In fact, our relationship is very old. Our specialists built enterprises in your countries back in Soviet times. Your students studied at our universities and are studying now," Zelensky said.