PAP President Boutbig Advances Eurasian Economic Cooperation and Parliamentary Ties in Moscow

PAP President Fateh Boutbig promotes Africa–Eurasia economic cooperation and proposes stronger parliamentary ties with Russia at the Moscow summit.

MOSCOW, 29 October 2026 — Pan-African Parliament (PAP) President H.E. Dr. Fateh Boutbig has advanced proposals for stronger parliamentary relations with Russia while promoting Africa’s economic integration priorities during engagements at the Third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow.

Leading a delegation comprising members of the PAP Bureau, Dr. Boutbig participated on Wednesday, 28 October, in a dialogue on cooperation between Africa and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). He also met H.E. Ms. Valentina Matviyenko, Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly, to discuss a framework for sustained institutional cooperation.

According to the Parliament’s statements, the engagements connected trade, investment and development discussions with a call for parliamentary institutions to contribute more directly to implementing international commitments.

The summit and accompanying Economic and Humanitarian Forum run from 28 to 29 October, according to the official summit organiser. The PAP statement reports participation by representatives of almost 50 African countries, with the gathering co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and African Union Chairperson, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye.

Connecting Eurasian partnerships with African integration

At the dialogue entitled “The EAEU and Africa: An Integration Partnership”, participants examined opportunities to expand economic and trade relations, attract investment and strengthen cooperation in industry, agriculture, logistics and technology.

The Eurasian Economic Union comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Its integration framework provides for the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour, alongside coordinated policies in specified economic sectors.

For African economies, cooperation in the sectors discussed could support manufacturing, agricultural processing, technological capability and improved transport connections. These opportunities would need to translate into practical projects that strengthen productive capacity and improve access to markets.

The PAP linked its participation to the advancement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. These continental frameworks place economic integration, inclusive development and structural transformation at the centre of Africa’s development ambitions.

Viewed against these priorities, the dialogue offers an opportunity to connect external investment with regional value chains and intra-African trade. Cooperation that supports local processing, skills development and African enterprises could help turn expanded international relations into wider economic benefits.

The parliamentary dimension is also significant. Sustained institutional dialogue can help bring public concerns into economic partnerships and maintain attention on whether commitments produce results for citizens.

Proposed framework for parliamentary cooperation

In his meeting with Ms. Matviyenko, Dr. Boutbig proposed preparing a Memorandum of Understanding between the PAP and the Federation Council to establish more regular and structured engagement.

The proposed framework would cover consultations, exchanges of delegations and expertise, and cooperation between specialized parliamentary committees. Such arrangements could sustain dialogue beyond summit meetings and enable more focused engagement on shared policy concerns.

The PAP statement describes a proposal to prepare the memorandum; it does not announce a signed agreement.

The two leaders discussed the longstanding relationship between Russia and Africa and the contribution of parliamentary diplomacy to the broader partnership. They emphasized regular dialogue and coordination on shared political, economic and development priorities.

Dr. Boutbig also called for parliamentary cooperation to feature among the priorities of the Russia–Africa Partnership Action Plan for 2027–2029. Building on the outcomes of the 2023 St. Petersburg Summit, he highlighted the need for initiatives that deliver tangible results and allow parliamentary institutions to contribute to implementing agreed commitments.

This proposal would give parliamentary engagement a more defined place in the wider partnership. Committee exchanges and regular consultations could provide channels for reviewing progress, identifying implementation difficulties and sharing relevant institutional experience.

Peace, development and Africa’s global representation

The meeting also addressed peace and security in Africa, the peaceful resolution of conflicts and sustainable development under Agenda 2063.

The leaders discussed reform of global governance institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council, with an emphasis on securing fair and equitable representation for Africa and strengthening the continent’s voice in international decision-making.

Reflecting on relations between Algeria and Russia, Dr. Boutbig commended the strategic partnership between the two countries.

He extended an official invitation to Ms. Matviyenko to visit the PAP headquarters in Midrand, South Africa. The proposed visit would provide an opportunity to continue consultations and advance institutional cooperation. The statement did not announce a date for the visit.

The Moscow engagements form part of the PAP Presidency’s efforts during the Seventh Legislature to broaden international partnerships in support of Africa’s peace, integration and development priorities.

Their practical significance will depend on the follow-through: developing the proposed memorandum, pursuing parliamentary inclusion in the forthcoming action plan and identifying activities that connect institutional cooperation with measurable public benefits.