Côte d'Ivoire's leader, Alassane Ouattara, and Guinea's interim president, Mamadi Doumbouya, met in Abidjan to discuss bilateral economic relations and regional security matters. The government of Côte d'Ivoire reported on the discussions.

Doumbouya arrived in Abidjan on a two-day working visit aimed at strengthening the historically robust and multifaceted cooperative ties between the two nations.

"We have just held talks where we discussed matters of mutual interest, particularly focusing on bilateral economic relations and security in our countries and the region. We also exchanged views on the political situation in our respective nations," stated Côte d'Ivoire's leader.

Ouattara emphasized his country's close attention to developments in Guinea and the efforts toward restoring constitutional order. He congratulated the Guinean leader on the progress achieved under the "Simandou 2040" development program.

Ouattara highlighted the increase in total trade between the two countries, which rose by 78% last year. He expressed a desire to further strengthen economic cooperation, particularly in mining, energy, transportation, and the construction of the San Pedro-Nimba Mountain railway.

Discussing the "urgent situation in the subregion," the two leaders agreed to continue supporting Sahel countries in overcoming humanitarian and security challenges.

Doumbouya thanked his counterpart for the warm reception and praised Ouattara's leadership and vision for transforming Côte d'Ivoire. He remarked that the visit symbolizes the deepening of bilateral relations with a special focus on economic cooperation and development.

"Guinea has hydroelectric potential, fertile lands, and its strategic position in West Africa opens numerous opportunities for Côte d'Ivoire to diversify economic partnerships and develop new mutually beneficial collaborations. It's time to elevate our relationship to a new level," Doumbouya emphasized.

Earlier in June, Côte d'Ivoire's Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, during a meeting with his Senegalese colleague Ousmane Sonko in Abidjan, stressed the need to deepen bilateral partnerships, which already involve 49 agreements. Mambé noted that the private sector will play a crucial role in strengthening cooperation.

Anna Bespalova