Accra, Feb. 26, GNA - Russian scholarships to Ghanaians to pursue further studies in that country increased from 10 last year to 30 this year, Mr Valery Orlov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation said in Accra on Wednesday.

Mr Orlov said this development would add new dimensions and give strong impetus to the relations between the two countries. He was speaking at a reception his Mission organised in honour of members of the Ghana-Russia Parliamentary Group.

The group was inaugurated in December last year to help deepen relations between Ghana and Russia.

Ambassador Orlov lauded the establishment of the parliamentary group saying it would not only create new opportunities for inter-parliamentary dialogue amongst members, but would also ensure peace and sustainable development on the African continent.

"It is my strong belief that the development of fruitful co-operation between the Parliament of Ghana and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, will also open new opportunities for Russian parliamentarians in the field of interaction with the African Parliamentary Union and the ECOWAS Parliament", he said.

Mr Orlov pointed out that in the recent past, Russia made modest and positive strides in her economy adding that this had allowed the government to initiate steps to solve social problems, and to improve the quality of life of the citizenry.

Mr Orlov stated that the only way by which the Russian economy could be integrated into the system of global economic ties and enable it to shape the world order was to establish bilateral, as well as multilateral relations with other nations.

"Today our foreign partners see in Russia an important participant of the world processes, effectively contributing to equilibrium on the international scene."

It was in this capacity, the Ambassador added, that Russia had helped rally the international community in the fight against terrorism, and other global challenges.

Responding, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, Speaker of Parliament, said Ghana's democratic dispensation was well and truly entrenched, and was optimistic that with the support and co-operation of friendly neighbours like Russia, the country would surely move forward.

He lauded the Mr Orlov for his role towards the formation of the Ghana-Russia Parliamentary Group, and hoped the cordial relationship between the two nations would continue to deepen and flourish for the mutual benefits of their nationals.