"As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia intends to continue actively participating in elaborating a strategic policy of the global community and practical measures for strengthening Africa's peace and stability and ensuring regional security," Putin said at a plenary session.
He stressed that Russia favored increasing Africa's role in resolving local conflicts and believed that "African problems" needed "African solutions."
The Russian leader also praised the deep-rooted cooperation with African nations and regional organizations as a strategic priority.
"Development of the African continent is hindered by terrorism, extremism ideology spreading, transnational criminality and piracy. Many countries face the consequences of the so-called Arab Spring, as a result of which situation in entire North Africa is destabilized. Various terrorist organizations are operating in the region, as well as in the Sahara-Sahel area and near Lake Chad ... In this context, we believe it is important to boost joint effort on fighting terrorism and extremism," Putin added.
Russia plans to boost cooperation with African law enforcement agencies, the president stressed.
Putin has suggested holding political consultations between the Russian foreign minister and African nations' foreign ministers annually between triennial Russia-Africa Summits.
"We could hold annual political consultations of foreign ministers in periods between the summits. I think all of you will support this proposal, and we will continue developing the Russian-African relations exactly in this format," Putin said on Thursday at the first plenary session of the inaugural Russia-Africa Summit.
The Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum is taking place in the Russian resort city of Sochi from October 23-24. The Rossiya Segodnya news agency is an official media partner of the event.
