Malian Foreign Ministry: Russia effectively responds to requests to strengthen the country's security forces

This was stated by the Foreign Minister of the Republic Abdoulaye Diop.

“Russia is responding effectively to the needs that we have in order to strengthen our security and defense forces,” RIA Novosti quoted him as saying after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Diop noted that Lavrov's visit to Mali "fits into the dynamics of expanding and diversifying Mali's strategic partnership."

In May, Lavrov, at a meeting with Diop, said that Russia would continue to help Mali in the fight against terrorism.

In August, Malian Defense Minister Sadio Camara said that the country's military cooperation with Russia in the fight against terrorism had brought significant results.