Accra, June 10, GNA - Russia on Thursday said it admired Ghana's role in the settlement of conflicts in Africa and pledged her readiness to continue to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Russia further affirmed that it would together with other members of the international community continue to assist African countries in creating conditions for their sustainable economic development. Dr Valery Orlov, Russian Ambassador to Ghana, was proposing the toast at a cocktail to mark his country's National Day in Accra. He said the relationship between the two countries had found expression in the re-invigorating of politico-cultural exchanges.

He said Russia had increased its scholarship grant to Ghanaians from 20 to 30 students in the 2004 -2005 academic year.

In the past 12 months Russian parliamentary and business delegations visited Ghana leading to the formation of Ghana-Russia Parliamentary Group and there had been many business trips by Russians to Ghana. Recently, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, Ghana's Speaker of Parliament led a parliamentary delegation to Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Dr Valery said to strengthen relationship with Ghana the Russian Government had begun building a new Russian Embassy Complex in Accra. Replying to the toast, Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister responsible for Tertiary Education, commended Russia for increasing its scholarship grant to Ghana and for the numerous assistances it continued to give the country in agriculture, education and science.